Short circuit ruled out in Jaworski van explosion

Police investigators have ruled out an accidental short circuit as the cause of the explosion that destroyed the van of Pasig City Rep. Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr last Tuesday. Senior Superintendent Francisco Uyami Jr, Pasig police chief, on Wednesday said probers were now looking into various angles, including those involving a deliberate murder attempt on Jaworski. He declined to elaborate, saying his investigators have yet to talk extensively with the congressman and his security escorts who cheated death when they jumped out of the van. Uyami said he does not have enough details to make a statement on the motive yet. Jaworski, whose father Robert Sr was defeated in the 2004 senatorial elections, had said Tuesday he suspects that the purported attempt on his life might be linked to drugs and politics. He is reportedly eyeing the mayoralty post in Pasig against incumbent Mayor Vicente Eusebio's son Roberto next year. GMA News' Saksi reported Tuesday night that empty bullet shells were recovered from the area along C-5 Road in Ugong village, Pasig where Jaworski's Toyota Innova van exploded. Jaworski's bodyguards admitted firing warning shots into the sky as a show of force to possible assassins. Uyami said that, "Jaworski's bodyguards admitted firing the guns when they bolted the van. They said it was part of their security measures." In a statement released shortly after the incident, Jaworski said that, "This is politics. I don't have enemies except in politics." "If they think they can scare me, they're mistaken. They've only made me more angry," the lawmaker said. Police reports said the incident happened at 1:45 p.m. along C-5 Road while the lawmaker and his younger brother, Ryan, were on their way home on board a silver Toyota Innova driven by security escort Romie Seles. Initial investigation said the Jaworskis and their driver heard what sounded like a blast from under the vehicle. Smoke then came out from the vehicle, forcing its occupants to jump off. Shortly after, a bigger blast totally destroyed the car. Jaworksi said a bomb could have been placed under the car while it was parked in a busy area in Pineda village in Pasig.-GMANews.TV