Grenades found in Fort Boni

Government security forces have foiled what they believe was a bomb plot after three grenades in a plastic bag were found near the headquarters of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Army spokesman Maj. Ernesto Torres said two fragmentation grenades and one hand offensive grenade with a percussion cap were in a plastic bag and wrapped with masking tape.

At about 11 a.m. Tuesday, a concerned passerby found the deadly package lying near Bayani Road, about 150 meters away from the gate of the Libingan ng mga Bayani military cemetery, not far from the Army headquarters.

Army explosive experts rushed to the scene and secured the area. Anticipating a possible bomb attack, Army troops thoroughly searched the surrounding area for more explosives but found nothing.

It was not immediately clear if the three grenades were timed to go off or were booby-trapped.

Torres said the grenades are currently being examined by the Army’s 5th Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team to determine their origin.

While nobody has been tagged responsible, military investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the grenades were part of plot to sow an atmosphere of government instability.

Authorities are also looking into the possible involvement of squatters occupying government land beside the Libingan ng mga Bayani and have defied an eviction order.

Some houses in the area have already been ordered demolished by army authorities to make way for the expansion of the already crowded Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The Philippines is no stranger to coup attempts and rumors of instability after popular revolts that toppled two presidents and at least a dozen failed military interventions since 1986.

The Arroyo administration routinely warns of destabilization plots by opposition forces loyal to deposed President Joseph Estrada, whom Mrs. Arroyo replaced in 2001 following a military-backed popular uprising.

Mrs. Arroyo has been under intense political pressure since admitting impropriety in calling an independent election official before Congress had declared the winner of the 2004 presidential election. She denies cheating in the election.

The political crisis has raised fears that the military might intervene to resolve the impasse.

In 2003, about 300 disgruntled young officers and their enlisted men staged a one-day mutiny in Makati City complaining of rampant corruption in the military.

Since then, Mrs. Arroyo has been pushing for reforms in the military, better equipment and conditions for soldiers.