Bomb scare hits DILG building

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) central office in Quezon City was hit by a bomb scare yesterday.

The bomb threat in the office of the DILG internal audit service on the 23rd floor of the building along Quezon Avenue in Barangay West Triangle was discovered at past 6 a.m. The incident was reported to police at around 10:50 a.m.

The National Police Commission office is also located in the building.

The bomb scare is similar to the threats received by the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Manila International Airport Authority.

The culprit identified himself as Takahiro Karasawa, supposedly a Japanese lawyer.

Using e-mail address takahiro-karasawa@hotel, the suspect said he planted bombs in a public building in Manila.

“Those bombs will explode at approximately 3:34 p.m. on Dec. 5,” Karasawa wrote.

The suspect urged Filipinos to overthrow the government under President Marcos.

Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said members of a bomb disposal team did not find any explosive in the building.

“After paneling and checking of the area, we declared the building cleared,” Maranan said.