De Lima: Naia 3 was one of four bomb targets

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima disclosed on Tuesday that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 was one of four targets by a group that was also planning to attack business establishments allegedly owned or operated by the Chinese in the Philippines.

At a press conference, De Lima said there were four sets of improvised explosives seized by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The group, identified as USAFFE, a name taken from the former United States Armed Forces in the Far East during the World War II, intended to place one of the explosives inside a comfort room inside the Naia, while three other explosives were intended to be detonated at the SM Mall of Asia. The group also targeted DMCI main office and the Chinese Embassy.

Lawyer Rommel Vallejo, head of the NBI’s Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division, the group that foiled the bombing Monday, said the three suspects who were arrested told them that they have a contact inside the Mall of Asia.

“They said they already have a contact from inside the mall to help them smuggle the explosives inside,” Vallejo said.

Arrested by the NBI were Grandeur Pepito Guerrero, Emmanuel San Pedro and Sonny Yohanon, alleged members of the USAFFE, which has expressed dismay over the government’s soft stance against China.

After the series of attacks, De Lima said the group would have read a manifesto, a copy of which would have been sent to various media entities as well.