Police defuse bomb outside US Embassy
PNP: Improvised explosive device similar to one used in Davao blast
AN IMPROVISED explosive device (IED) found yesterday in a trash bin near the United States Embassy and detonated by police has the same design as one used by local sympathizers of the Islamic State group in a Sept. 2 bomb attack that killed 15 people in Davao City, the Philippine National Police chief said.
Director-General Ronald dela Rosa told a news conference that police are theorizing that Maute militants could be behind yesterday’s “attempted act of terrorism” that appeared to target the US Embassy.
The improvised bomb fashioned from an 81-mm mortar round, cellphone, blasting cap and a small battery could have been powerful enough to kill people within 100 meters , police officials said.
Suspects
“After analysis, we can link it to the Maute because of what happened in Davao, the same (bomb) signature,” dela Rosa said.
He said the Maute group may have wanted to create a diversion as it has been suffering heavy casualties in ongoing military and police operations in the South.
Senior Supt. Joel Coronel, the Manila City police chief, said they were checking security cameras in the area and seeking information from at least two eyewitnesses.
The trash bin where the device was found was about 20 meters from the embassy compound.
Malacañang said yesterday security measures have been heightened follow- ing the discovery of an IED near the US Embassy.
“We assure the public that this incident should not be a cause for alarm. Business and work continue as normal,” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
“The PNP is on top of the situation and shall beef up security measures in public places, especially where there are big crowds,” Andanar said.
To ensure public safety in airports, seaports, bus and mass transport terminals, Andanar said concerned transport agencies were instructed to increase the visibility and presence of uniformed personnel and heighten the screening of persons and luggage as part of security vigilance. (AP/ Ruth Abbey Gita/Sunnex)