Cops eye dismissed workers in bus bomb hoax

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected bomb that was left on board a bus at Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila turned out to be a hoax, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday.

According to the NCRPO, the Manila Police District (MPD) had initially received a call around 9 a.m. about a “box containing a visible wiring and antenna” at the rearmost seat of a Tas transit bus with plate number TYR-499.

The MPD bomb disposal unit responded to the scene and took out the box with a cellphone to safely diffuse it. They found that it only contained sand after conducting bomb disposal procedures.

Authorities also found a letter written in Tagalog attached to the bag. It said “I left a bomb under the seat of your bus. Don’t make any noise to get the attention of the passengers. I want you to stop this bus at the front of the post office and for you to call the police. Don’t try to get and throw away this bag because with just one press of a button ‘Boom.’ Change the Philippines.”

NCRPO said that the bus company had previously received bomb threats. Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, NCRPO Regional Director, said they will conduct a full investigation that will include the bus company’s disgruntled or dismissed employees.

“Those who put bomb hoaxes like that will not be spared, I will follow up on the investigation,” Espina said in a televised interview.

Chief Superintendent Alex Gutierrez, MPD Director, renewed their call to the public to immediately report any suspicious packages or bags left around in a certain area.

He added that their bomb disposal units have been placed on constant alert for such threats.