LRT station bomb report a false alarm, MPD says

MANILA, Philippines -  Traffic along Recto Avenue and Divisoria stalled yesterday after a report of an explosion at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Recto station spread like wildfire.

The report, however, turned out to be a “false alarm,” the Manila Police District said after its bomb experts arrived and responded to the report. Inspector Arnold Santos said they found three boxes left by “a passenger” near the station. The boxes contained shards of glass.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) received a tweet that an explosion was heard at around 2 p.m., followed by another one a few minutes later.

This prompted the agency to tweet an advisory that read: “As of 2:00 PM positive bombing at LRT Recto Station, Recto towards Divisoria closed to traffic, expect heavy traffic in area | @MMDA.”

MPD deputy director for operations Senior Superintendent Robert Po called The STAR to deny the explosion at the LRT.

In a tweet shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday, Yves Gonzales, who is in charge of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office, admitted responsibility for the wrong tweet.