Bomb hurled at Ombudsman building

MANILA, Philippines - Two men hurled a bomb at the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) building on Agham Road in North Triangle, Quezon City yesterday morning.

Police have yet to determine the motive behind the supposed attack. The explosion damaged parts of a water treatment tank, some glass windows on the second floor, and a shuttle bus used by employees.

Two men in a vehicle allegedly stopped near the gate of the OMB compound at around 5 a.m. and hurled the improvised explosive device (IED) inside before fleeing the scene. The suspects are still unidentified.

Inspector Arnulfo Franco, chief of the Quezon City Police District – Explosive and Ordnance Division (QCPD-EOD) said a time fuse, a blasting cap, electrical tape, and matchsticks were recovered from the site.

According to him, experts will examine the IED and its components to know what kind of “high explosive” was used to make the bomb.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said the explosion was strong enough to damage some property at the OMB’s central office.

Bomb experts of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are helping the QCPD-EOD and its Scene of the Crime Operatives personnel investigate the incident.

Jalandoni said probers are also reviewing the OMB’s closed circuit television camera recording to determine if it captured images which can help in the investigation.

“If the intention of those responsible for today’s explosion as well as those sending death threats to our investigators is for us to slow down in our investigation, they are mistaken,” he said in a statement.

“We will not shrink from our responsibility of prosecuting and investigating cases pending before our Office,” Jalandoni said.

He also expressed confidence that the police and the NBI will be able to immediately identify and arrest those behind the attack so that criminal charges may be filed against them.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said Malacañang will “not allow such incidents to happen, especially in Metro Manila.”

“The Philippine National Police will lead in the investigation and solve the case as soon as possible to arrest and bring to justice whoever is behind this attack,” he said. “We are a peaceful people and do not believe or condone such violence.” – With Paolo Romero