SENATE TO PROBE CAGAYAN DE ORO BLAST

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Grace Poe will conduct a hearing in aid of legislation on the July 26 bombing in Cagayan de Oro City that left eight people dead and several others injured.

The hearing will be held on August 7 (Wednesday), 1 p.m. at the Laurel Room, second floor of the Philippine Senate.

Poe said, "We need a stronger, united stance to stop such brazen acts which impede the gains our nation has achieved. My committee is determined to examine and assess ways to support and strengthen mechanisms toward this end."

Invited to the hearing are Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima, PNP Regional Director for Northern Mindanao Chief Supt. Catalino Rodriquez, PNP Cagayan de Oro Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, and others.

The hearing was set following the referral to Poe's committee of Sen. Koko Pimentel's privilege speech on July 29 condemning the crime in his home city.