Abandoned bag of ‘leaves’ triggers bomb scare at Indonesian Embassy

Authorities cordoned off a black trolley left by a scavenger at the back of the Indonesian Embassy in Makati on Tuesday that caused a brief tension. Police found no explosives but just several pieces of dried taro (gabi) leaves. PHOTO BY ROMMEL RABACA

An abandoned luggage trolley containing mere taro (gabi) leaves caused a bomb scare in the Makati Central Business District on Tuesday.

Responding bomb squad said no explosives were found inside the bag but only dried taro leaves.

The “suspicious” black trolley was found along the sidewalk of Adelantado Street in Barangay San Lorenzo, at the back of Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, at 11:49 a.m., according to a report submitted to Senior Supt. Gerardo Umayao, Makati police chief.

Members of the Explosives and Ordnance Division arrived at 12:05 p.m. and conducted “render safe procedure” to the trolley, measuring 36 x 18 x 12 inches.

Upon opening, EOD personnel found that the bag had no explosives but just several pieces of dried taro leaves.

Jerry Macasilo, security guard at the Indonesian Embassy, told police he saw a male scavenger left the trolley unattended at the back of the complex around 8 a.m., and never came back for it.

Police cordoned off the area at 12:17 p.m. and declared the scene negative of any explosive materials. /jpv