Bomb scare disrupts work at Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - A suspicious box allegedly left by three unidentified persons at an empty lot near the Capitol compound has caused panic and temporary disruption of work at the Capitol and nearby establishments.

A team of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) rushed into the scene to secure the small brown box along Don Gil Garcia Street.

Traffic flow was also stalled while SWAT personnel pulled the box using a rope far from the nearby stores. Upon opening the box, SWAT members discovered 10 packs of expired Water-Soluble Powder Electrolytes for animals.

SPO2 Renante Nioda said that they would still need to send the packs for verification. It was however initially found to contain sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

Nioda said they got a report of suspicious bomb left in a vacant lot at around 11 a.m.

"Dunay possibility na panghulga (there is a possibility that it was intended to scare)," said Nioda, adding that the box was sealed well with layers of cover and plastic.

Good thing that residents in the area were very vigilant, said Nioda, adding that regardless or whether it was false alarm of not, it is always better to be cautious.

Nioda revealed that if it was a bomb, it would have made a substantial damage especially since there were a lot of houses and stores and that it was beside a busy street.

Also, a bomb placed in that area would have reached the right side of the Capitol building.

Nila Menchavez, 65, said that she saw a man in a flesh-colored shirt bringing the box right beside her carenderia.

She narrated that after she went back inside her store, the man already moved the box to another area and minutes after abandoned the box near her carenderia.

"Pagbantay nako paggawas, wa na man siya dinha. Nakuyawan ko kay wa ko kahibaw unsa'y sud sa carton. (When I went out I noticed he was no longer around. I was worried because I did not know what was inside the box)," Menchavez said.

Menchavez said she immediately called a companion who asked another resident to look at the box.

"Bug-at man kuno (it was heavy)," said Menchavez when a neighbor tried to carry it. They decided not to open the box, fearing it was a bomb or an abandoned baby. She added that the person who left the box had a calm composure and did not seem worried about anything.

She said they immediately reported the box to a barangay councilor who called the SWAT. Menchavez added that other neighbors said there were initially three men seen carrying the box. Cebu City Police Director Mariano Natu-el said that election period or not, everyone should be on guard always on suspicious actions of people and things purposely left behind. —  /FPL