Pimentel to intelligence agencies: Explain failure to prevent Quiapo blasts

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" L. Pimentel III on Sunday called on intelligence officials to explain their failure to prevent the recent blasts in Quiapo over the weekend.

"We set aside a lot of money for intelligence agencies. If they can't prevent these explosions, I expect that at the very least, they can catch the culprits and prevent things like these from happening again," he said in an emailed statement.

"I want them to account for every peso that was allocated to them, and give me a very good reason for this failure of intelligence on their part," he added.

He was referring to the intelligence units of the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"I sympathize with the victims and commend policemen for their quick response. But I am wondering where the intelligence agencies are. Preventing these explosions is their job," he said.

This comes after the deadly blasts in Quiapo on Saturday afternoon. The first explosion took place along Norzagaray Street near the Manila Golden Mosque shortly before 6:00 p.m.

The second blast took place past 8:30 p.m., just seconds after National Capital Region Police Office Chief Director Oscar D. Albayalde gave a briefing about the first blast.

Two persons were killed and six others, including two policemen, were injured in the two explosions.

Pimentel said he is willing to call on the heads of government intelligence offices to help with additional funding for training, equipment, and operations, but they must first produce results.

"If they say they do need additional funds, they must produce results from the billions already given them and not ask for more money only to have no improvement still," he said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News