Jawo gets more bodyguards

After escaping a bombing attempt, Pasig City Rep. Robert "Dodot" Jaworski had added more security men, is now carrying a gun and rides in a bulletproof Suburban Chevrolet van.

He admitted that extra security measures are now in place and the Philippine National Police has provided him with additional security men.

Jaworski also vowed to continue his crusade for reforms local government of Pasig and his fight against drug trafficking.

In the weekly Balitaan sa Hotel Rembrandt forum in Quezon City, Jaworski admitted that it took him several days to recover from the trauma of his horrifying experience and after pondering and consultation with his family he decided to continue his crusade for political reform in Pasig and the campaign against illegal drugs.

"Sa mga kalaban ko buhay pa ako," Jaworski said as he denied allegations made by Pasig Mayor Vicente Eusebio that the bomb attack was stage managed.

"I saw my car explode and if not for the presence of mind of my security men, I am now dead now," he said.

He also admitted that he owns a gun and that he is also an expert shooter.

"I have a gun and I am not cowed by attempts on my life, the more I am now determined to continue my crusade," he said.

He declined to give details on his new vehicle but sources close to the congressman said that the black Suburban Chevrolet van is a bulletproof vehicle.

During the forum, Jaworski expressed his concern about the early pronouncement of a Pasig police official that the cause of the bomb was faulty electrical wiring, which later turned out that the cause of the blast was an improvised explosive device.

Jaworski also said he was surprised why Mayor Eusebio was so defensive when in fact he did not indetify any possible suspect on the bombing.

He said his family is fully supportive of his crusade and he is prepared for the "worst case" scenario but will not give up his crusade against illegal drugs.

He also theorized that whoever was behind the attempt on his life could also be behind the killing of his ally former Rep. Henry Lanot who was shot dead inside a restaurant last year.

Jaworksi said he wants the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to dig deeper into the case and to make their investigation transparent to the public.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Police District will investigate the possible connection of detained trader Amin Imam Boratong, the alleged operator of the dismantled shabu tiangge or bazaar in Pasig City, to the bombing of the Toyota Innova with licence plates ZDA 660 of Jaworski last Tuesday.

EPD director Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman said probers will look into all angles on the Jaworski assassination attempt, including the link of the operator of the shabu tiangge.

Ticman said Jaworski initiated the congressional investigation last March into the drug operations of Boratong and also the demolition of the drug bazaar which was ordered by Mayor Eusebio. – With Non Alquitran