Philippines holds 3 over bomb plot targeting airport, China embassy
Print Edition
PHILIPPINE authorities said yesterday they had arrested three men linked to a group planning to set off firebombs at Manila’s international airport and a city mall in protest at the government’s alleged “soft” stance in its territorial dispute with China.
The military, however, downplayed the planned attacks, saying the men were just seeking attention.
The leader of the group and two other men were arrested on Monday with four homemade incendiary devices found inside their car at one of the airport’s parking lots, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.
Government agents, who were tipped off by an informant, said the men planned to set off one bomb at a parking lot restroom and the three others inside one of the country’s biggest shopping malls, which has ethnic Chinese owners.
The territorial dispute between the Philippines and China has been simmering for years.
De Lima said the “utra-rightist” but “misguided” group also planned the “strafing” of the Chinese Embassy in Manila and a building owned by a company operating a power plant that allegedly employed Chinese workers illegally.
“They are not content, they are frustrated over the stance of the government against China, which to them is very soft,” de Lima said. “They want this administration to espouse a tougher stance in its dispute with China.”
The Chinese Embassy urged the Philippine government to take “effective measures” to ensure the security of its facilities and prevent attacks against its diplomatic staff and citizens in the country.
“We ask the government to conduct a thorough investigation into this case,” the embassy said in a statement.
It advised Chinese entrepreneurs and students in the Philippines to be aware of risks and take preventive measures against threats of all kinds.
Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said yesterday that the department was drafting a note to the Chinese Embassy.
“We need to assure them that this is not an official government policy and that we do not use violence as a means of resolving disputes,” Jose said.
Jose said the department would officially inform the Chinese Embassy in Manila of the findings of the Philippine authorities’ investigation.
De Lima said the men would be charged with possession of explosive materials, a non-bailable offense.
The justice department was also considering filing conspiracy to commit terrorism charges against the three, she said, adding that there were other members of the group and the investigation was ongoing.
She said the group considers China and wealthy ethnic Chinese, such as the owners of the mall, as enemies.
Military Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang played down the incident, describing the arrested men as “pranksters” who wanted to get public attention.
“I don’t think it’s a terror attack because these were just firecrackers,” he said.
Rommel Vallejo, head of the Anti-Organized Crime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation, said each of the firebombs consisted of a firecracker as big as the palm of a hand with an 8-second wick taped to a plastic bottle containing gasoline.
De Lima said the blast from one of the devices could create a huge fireball and send debris flying 5 to 10 meters away, possibly causing fatal injuries.
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