2 more grenade attacks in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) is looking into the lack of security at its checkpoints following two more grenade attacks since Friday.

The attacks came after motorcycle-riding men threw a grenade at the Manila Arena in Sta. Ana on Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, a janitor found another grenade at the same area after a car was seen parked at the stadium that was used for cockfights. The arena remains closed but was reportedly being used for online cockfights.

Another grenade was thrown near the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Gate 3 in Port Area at around 8 a.m. yesterday.

Both grenades failed to explode and were later detonated by the city police’s bomb experts.

MPD director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said he would investigate why grenade-throwing incidents happened despite the presence of police checkpoints throughout the city.

“We are looking at the lack of security procedure, why despite our law enforcement checkpoints these criminals or suspects were able to get away with their bombs without being apprehended,” he told radio dzBB in Filipino yesterday.

The MPD said it will also beef up security at the Manila Arena, the BOC and other areas that need closer monitoring, he added.

The MPD earlier said the incidents at the arena may be connected to the alleged kidnapping of six cockfighting players on Jan. 13 and the attacks on BOC personnel over the past several months.