Vape device – not improvised bomb – explodes near Naia; one hurt

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A homeless man sustained injuries after a vape device, which police initially reported as an improvised bomb, blew up along the road adjacent to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 on Saturday.

Based on the police report, the 65-year-old man was wounded on his face after picking up the vape device at the corner of Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Passcor Street in Pasay City sustained wounds on his face from the explosion.

According to the Manila International Airport Authority, the man identified as Romeo Soriano “injured himself while searching through the garbage he had collected.”

“As he was trying to salvage copper or brass from a used electronic vape cigarette which he said he intended to sell as scrap metal, suddenly caught fire,” the MIAA said.

“The MIAA Medical team rushed to the area and gave Mr. Soriano immediate medical attention for the minor injuries he sustained, it added.

“Airport Police said that no other damage was reported. The victim was immediately brought to the Aviation Security Group, where he received medical attention for his injuries,” the MIAA said.

This incident comes a day after commercial airports were placed under heightened alert by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines due to various bomb threats.

Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said more patrols and K9 units have been dispatched to all airport terminals by law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of passengers.

—ABBY BOISER