Terror hits home? The 10/19 Glorietta 2 bombing.
It is often a tasteless joke — that 9/11 could never happen in the Philippines because we don’t have buildings tall enough for terrorists to hit. Others suggest Malacañang to be a sweet enough target although that would be too easy — and in some ways, they would be doing all us a favor. Somehow that joke would end up with the terrorists targeting our malls (as they have done in the past, read the history here). In a way, that is a commentary on our rapidly expanding mall economy (read The Rise of the Mall Class) but no one is laughing now.
A bomb hit Glorietta 2 (watch some videos here) while I was ending my class with Rosal today. For me, G2 was where I used to get my comics (Filbar’s) and the last thing I bought in that area was an R2-D2 Mr. Potato Head I gave to a friend for her birthday. The store where I bought that toy is now gone.
To learn that such a familiar place has been hit is really something else. Moreover, I learned of it from my co-teacher aunt who was informed by another aunt who was then informed by my mom.
Mom was there when it happened. (Read her personal account here.) She was packing her stuff in the Gold’s Gym locker room when the bomb hit. For her the sound is unforgettable — just imagine an entire hallway of glass shattering and stone breaking both punctuated by high-pitched wails and unadulterated screams. Dust from the debris found its way to the locker rooms about 150m away from the site of the blast. Thankfully she made it out unharmed and relaxed despite being incredibly afraid. She is proud to discover that she can remain calm awhile everyone else went into a frenzied panic. These are the days I am inclined to believe in a God and His angels; regardless I am thankful.
I have yet to talk to our driver who saw the explosion happen before his eyes. All I heard is that he’s frozen in fright and may not be able to sleep. Seeing a woman get crushed by a wall does that to you.
Here are some pictures of the bombed Glorietta 2 area, courtesy of a concerned citizen through the auspices of ABS-CBN. More after the cut. Also check out this picture rich gallery by Multiply blogger disneycute. More blog coverage can also be found at Inquirer Blog Addicts.
The first thing I said when all these happened was, “And so it begins.” While at this point it is difficult and unhelpful to speculate as to the true nature and cause of this attack, it is inevitable. Whether or not this is an attack of terrorism — as if we can call an attack on non-combatants something else – we can almost be certain that this incident will be politicized and used by both sides of the fence for their nefarious ends.
Already we have Senator Trillanes pointing at the administration’s military men, accusing them of being involved with the attacks and of using it as a possible springboard to tougher Inhuman Security Acts, a possible State of Emergency, and even a heightened effort to crush the Muslim “insurgency” in Mindanao.
I just find it interesting that at this point, my classes and I are talking about the nature of time and causalities. Perhaps, one thing I glossed over in our discussions is that politicians love to use distant causes and neglect immediate causes to prove their point. Whatever happens next, I hope a thorough and depoliticized (if there is such a thing!) investigation into the event is undertaken before any policies are made.
All we know now is that people are hurt, some have died, and hopefully those dear to us are safe. Let us be cautious, vigilant and thankful; I know I am. For now, let that be enough, let us uncover the truth and let us rebuild. I advise our politicians this — anything more than that will just be terrible and that could be in itself, an act of terrorism. One Iraq war is enough.
Our Solemn Hour
I thought I’d be writing about my trip to Baguio, but the suffering I went through is trivial compared to what happened today.
It’s not the first time this has happened, but this unfortunately doesn’t happen rarely enough.
An explosio…
I’m glad your mom’s safe.
“somebodysetupusthebomb”. Whoever ’somebody’ is, he must have been good at hiding the bomb, because it’s big. Really big. And let’s hope it’s peaceful after, especially the government. Kawawa naman.
i wonder if (and if ever, how) they’ll heighten mall security tomorrow onwards… the “bag inspection” has become too routinely i doubt they can actually “detect” bombs anymore…
I agree…the “bag inspection” has become TOO routinely… I suggest that the government requires all mall owners (and also our MRT & LRT Stations) to invest on good surveillance cameras and a hand bag x-ray scanner. Let us be cautious.
[...] mallrats and those with fond memories of Glorietta boggles the mind, says Akomismo: A bomb hit Glorietta 2 while I was ending my class with Rosal today. For [...]
[...] Manila, News, Philippines, Politics, Terrorism, tragedy Over at her Multiply, mom writes about her 10/19, At that point, we didn’t know what it was. For some reason though, I feared the worse. My [...]
[...] a job for history. Are there no clues to help us piece together what happened yesterday? (Read my initial report, then my mom’s personal account plus some [...]
Man I could seriously call for wrong timing for this bombing. This is insane! terror attacks in the mall. What more will the younger generation let alone the foreigners think of this country?
Those blastit’ terrorist! What else can we do but pray for those who died in this incident and that this won’t happen again anytime soon. Though that might be out of the question (0_o)
[...] Terror hits home? The 10/19 Glorietta 2 bombing [...]
[...] Terror hits home? The 10/19 Glorietta 2 bombing. « AKOMISMO || by Sir MartZ [...]
” All we know now is that people are hurt, some have died, and hopefully those dear to us are safe. Let us be cautious, vigilant and thankful; I know I am. For now, let that be enough, let us uncover the truth and let us rebuild. I advise our politicians this — anything more than that will just be terrible and that could be in itself, an act of terrorism. One Iraq war is enough. ”
Amen to that. Learning of the bomb incident brought it all home for me that we are in such a fragile state… We should not overreact but get to the bottom of the truth… and address the true causes. Let us not let this be another reason to sow hate. Like Martin Says, “Let us rebuild.”
[...] difficult to deny the forensic evidence and thus, I renege on my previous labeling of this incident as an overt bombing. Nonetheless, I will retain those labels to mark my feelings [...]
It has been a month and there is still no closure on this incident.
Allow me to share my views on this event.