Caloocan bomb plot foiled

The brother of Caloocan mayoralty candidate Edgar Erice and a retired police major were arrested last Thursday for possession of an incendiary bomb, which Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon said was allegedly intended to be detonated at their own political rally to gain sympathy votes.

De Leon was quick to explain that they have no hard evidence against Erice except that his brother, Ernesto, was driving the multi-cab loaded with the his campaign materials.

The younger Erice was arrested along with retired Caloocan City police Maj. Edgardo "Totoy" Rivera, also a trusted aide of Erice.

The two suspects, along with the vehicle and the incendiary bomb were presented yesterday by De Leon and Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr., director of the Northern Police District, to media at the NCRPO satellite office in Kamuning.

The two suspects denied the accusations, claiming the bomb was planted.

De Leon said an informant tipped them off about a planned bombing of Erice’s political rally. Erice is running for mayor under the Alyansang Makabayan banner.

Erice is pitted against Gigi Malonzo, the wife of Mayor Rey Malonzo; Rep. Enrico Echiverri and Macario Asistio.

Police intelligence theorized that the suspects allegedly attempted to bomb Erice’s own rally and blame it on rivals.

The congressman insisted the bomb was planted.

"It’s not true. If I would do that, I will not let my brother do it because he does not have the expertise for that, and I will not use a van with my name on it," Erice said.

He pointed out that his brother had cleared checkpoints three times and only saw the bomb after he was taken to the police station.

The elder Erice said they have neither "the capacity to do what was being imputed on us."

"We have always declared that we will neither be provoked nor provoke any acts of violence. We have no history of violence and cannot go down to this level," the lawmaker said.

Franco cordoned off the political rally at the Morning Breeze subdivision after the informant informed him that the bomb would be planted there.

At about 11 p.m. last Thursday, NPD operatives, including members of the Special Weapons and Tactics team flagged down the multi-cab with no plates driven by Ernesto. The green van yielded an incendiary bomb.

A subsequent follow-up operation ensued and Rivera, who just recently retired from the police force, was arrested along Sangandaan street.

A bomb expert told Franco had the device been detonated, it would have sent glass splinters and fragments flying some several meters. "Anything could have happened, including the killing of innocent bystanders," Franco told The STAR.

He said the congressman’s brother and Rivera will be charged with illegal possession of a bomb and the violation of a Commission on Elections ban on firearms and explosive devices. – With Pete Laude