A HOMEMADE bomb detonated near the entrance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) central office on Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila. early on Monday, officials said, hours before a suspected unexploded device was found near the Senate.
The explosion just after midnight, which resulted in no casualties, and the discovery of the second suspected bomb came hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was due to give an annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. told reporters on Monday there was a “big possibility or probability that the two (incidents) are related.” While police had contingency plans for “bomb threats, actual bombings and other (things)... something got past us and exploded in front of the Department of Justice,” he said.
It was not immediately clear how large the early morning blast had been.
“We are still investigating, so we cannot give you details on how massive or small the explosion was,” Manila police spokesman Philipp Ines said.
Images posted by media showed what appeared to be a vehicle windshield cracked by the blast and a small amount of debris.
Police said in one report that the device at the Senate had been spotted on a street abutting the building just before 8:30 a.m. by a tow truck driver, who alerted security staff.
Personnel trained in handling explosive ordnance removed material from the scene that included a blasting cap, clock and a jar containing a “brown powder” for testing.
Regional police spokesman Hazel Asilo declined to estimate the size of the explosion the device could have produced.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida announced the suspension of work at the DOJ, but officials said this was unrelated to the bomb blast, and was aimed at affording employees the opportunity to watch the SONA.
DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said authorities are investigating the explosion that caused slight damage to two parked cars.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Manila Police District (MPD) are conducting parallel investigations into the bomb blast.
Senate hikes security
The Senate has tightened security measures following the recovery of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) outside its premises.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian condemned what he described as an apparent attempt to sow fear on the day President Marcos delivered his fifth SONA.
Gatchalian said no act of intimidation would deter the Senate from carrying out its constitutional mandate.
He directed the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms to fully coordinate with the PNP and its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, which immediately responded to the area after the suspected explosive device was discovered.
“I thank them for their swift action, and I am relieved that no one was hurt,” Gatchalian said.
Earlier, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Alfred Corpus said the Senate had been on heightened alert because of the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress and the SONA, but security measures would be intensified following the incident.
Under Gatchalian’s directive, additional security personnel will be deployed throughout the Senate grounds, while inspections of individuals entering the premises will be tightened.
The Senate will also continue to closely coordinate with the PNP to enhance surveillance and security operations outside the Senate complex.
Corpus said the heightened security posture will remain in effect until authorities determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Gatchalian called on the PNP and other concerned agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine who was responsible for the incident and their motives.
“The perpetrators must be identified and held accountable under the law,” he said.
He also urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the proper authorities.
