Marcos statue blasted

THE biggest statue that late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos built to immortalise himself was blown up yesterday.

Police Superintendent Elpidio Gabriel said no one was hurt in the explosion that occurred around 1.40am in a remote area of Benguet province, about 124 miles north of Manila. It was not immediately clear who was behind the explosion, but suspects included left-wing rebels, tribal activists and even treasure hunters, officials said.

"Since there were no injuries as a result of the bombing, the probable charge would be malicious mischief resulting to damage to public property," said Tuba police official Rasildo Acosta.

"We picked up some wires on the site, but we are not bomb experts so we submitted it as part of evidence," he added.

The explosion, which residents said sounded like a car collision, blew away the eyes, the nose and part of the ears of the former dictator's bust, which overlooked a major highway crossing on the main Philippine island of

Luzon. It was located close to Ilocos Norte, Marcos' home province.

Part of his lips and the base of the 33-foot bust were still intact, witnesses said. Numerous attempts have been made in the past to destroy the bust. "I am very sad, because this was the loving offering of Ilocanos, a symbol of their loyalty and support of Ferdinand Marcos," Imelda Marcos, his wife, said in a statement upon hearing the news.

The construction of the bust, which started in the mid-1980s along with plans to develop a golf course there, was never finished as Marcos was ousted from power in 1986. He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989.

Meanwhile, the new year will not start with a bang for Philippine police officers who have been ordered to seal their weapons.

Masking tape will be placed over the muzzle of service guns as part of a campaign to stop police officers firing into the air during celebrations.

The tape will be signed by police commanders.