The foreigner and the liquid bomb
A LOW magnitude bomb was assembled by a father who became impatient in a tiresome grind of justice for her daughter. Jacky Chan, the father, starred in the movie “The Foreigner”and detonated the lemonade-colored liquid bomb.
The Chinese national at the MRT-3 incident last Saturday, February 9, was actually not the daughter of Jacky Chan or related to the movie. She splashed “taho” to a police officer who refused her entry with that beverage.
Police Officer 1 (PO1) William Cristobal was carrying a sketchy order to abnegate anyone carrying liquid substance at the platform when the 23-year-old Jiale Zhang insisted access. The emotional argument provoked the spl ash.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) banned all bottled drinks in train stations since last month after the twin blasts in Jolo, killing 22.
The exemptions to the order include: (a) baby formula OR breast milk in bottles, if the passenger is travelling with a baby or small child; (b) drinking water to be used by the baby or small child; (c) all prescription and overthe-counter medications; (d) liquids including water, juice or liquid nutrition or gels for passenger with a disability or life condition; (e) life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs; (f) items used to augment the body and for medical and cosmetics reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breast, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and (g) gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medical-related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.
The restriction of carrying liquids, including aerosols and gels in any mass transportation facilities was first implemented on September 2006 by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in all British airports as a reaction to the Transatlantic Aircraft Plot. But with that restriction, the TSA sets to allow liquid up to 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, in a transparent travel container.
The prohibition at the MRT and LRT is different, it is absolute liquid at no specified amount to eschew terrorists from making explosives or carry components of explosives. Had the guideline was definite in volume capable for a certain magnitude of explosion, PO1 Cristobal should have the judicious assessment that the half empty cup of “taho” could never be used as a component for explosive. Cristobal’s ignorance in dealing with a thirsty passenger prompted the unexpected early detonation to his breastplate.
Taho was contained in an open-brimmed cup, not bottled as specified in the guidelines. Anyways, just bring with you an empty tumbler as you get on board to the MRT and LRT.