Hoax IED found in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – A suspicious package that looked like an improvised explosive device (IED) was found in Manila yesterday morning.

Street sweepers Junman Razon, 34, and Romeo Estrabela, 61, discovered the supposed IED while collecting trash along Arroceros street outside the gate of the Universidad de Manila near Liwasang Bonifacio at past 6 a.m., Manila Police District (MPD) director Senior Superintendent Napoleon Coronel said.

Razon and Estrabela turned over the package to Ricardo Gaddi, a security guard at city hall, who instructed them to leave it in front of the gate where Mayor Joseph Estrada passes when he reports for work every day.

Gaddi later informed police of the supposed IED.

Members of the MPD Explosives and Ordnance Division rushed to the area to detonate the bomb, which was found to be a hoax.

Police said the fake IED appeared to have three dynamite sticks, wires and a timer. A mobile phone was attached to it.

Superintendent Romeo Desiderio, MPD Station 5 commander, said the supposed IED had no explosive component.

Desiderio said the fake bomb could have been abandoned in the area to create fear.

The incident came over a week after a bomb was recovered near the US embassy.