3 nabbed for cracking bomb joke during Pope motorcade
MANILA, Philippines—Police have arrested three people allegedly for bragging about carrying bombs and firearms in the middle of a crowd waiting for Pope Francis’ motorcade in Manila.
Three were held on Sunday afternoon on charges of causing alarm.
The incident happened along P. Burgos Street near the corner of General Luna Street in Intramuros as scores of people were waiting for the Pope’s open motorcade to pass through.
The suspects were identified as Ellyn Ventura, 26, of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Erlinda Sion, 27, of San Fabian, Pangasinan and Albert Corpuz, 21, of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.
In a spot report, Superintendent Romeo Macapaz, Ermita Police Station commander, said housekeeper Jasmin Valera , 34, and her daughter sought the police’s help when they heard the suspects talk about carrying guns and a bomb.
According to Valera’s testimony, she heard Ventura said: “Bakit ako may dalang bomba, bakit hindi nila na-detect?”
Corpuz then retorted and said: “Ako rin may dalang 45… pesos,” to which Sion replied, saying “Ako din may 38… pesos.”
Realizing the suspects’ conversation might cause alarm and stampede, Valera immediately called the attention of Police Officer 2 Alvin Villarosa, assigned at Crime Laboratory Unit in Camp Crame, who was one of the many officers deployed in Manila to beef up the security team for the papal visit.
Villarosa arrested the three for violating of Presidential Decree 1727 or the anti-bomb scare law. They were turned over to Ermita Police Station after the apprehension.
The suspects will be brought to the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for proper disposition.
