Manila police safely detonate suspected bomb near US Embassy

MANILA, Philippines — Manila police detonated a suspected bomb found Monday in a trash bin just a few meters from the US Embassy, snarling morning traffic after authorities closed a portion of a major boulevard where the device was found. No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Two explosions were heard as a bomb disposal unit detonated what police described as a suspicious package believed to be an improvised explosive device.

Street sweeper Winniefreda Francisco says she called police after finding a cellphone attached to a bottle-like cylinder wrapped in black, with wires connecting the cylinder to the phone. It was not immediately clear if the device found was really a bomb.

Reports said vendors saw a taxi driver unloading the suspicious package.