Terrorists not behind Mandaluyong, QC blasts - police

The two bombing attacks in Metro Manila on Monday were not carried out by terrorists, police said. “Nothing related to terrorism," said Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, the Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, in a text message to GMANews.TV. The blasts occurred in front of San Miguel Corporation’s building at the corner of Julia Vargas Avenue and San Miguel Avenue in Mandaluyong, and at the main entrance of Puregold Supermarket along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. No one was injured in both incidents.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Eastern Police District (EPD) have already been ordered to unmask the perpetrators behind the explosions, according to Director General Roberto Rosales, chief of National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). Rosales said no components of any improvised explosive device (IED) have been recovered from the scenes of the explosions. The explosions occurred less than two weeks after blasts rocked One Twin Burgundy Plaza along Katipunan Avenue in QC and Union Bank Plaza along Meralco Avenue in Pasig City’s Ortigas district. Rosales said the October 30 bombings are not connected with Monday’s attacks. “The available evidence shows no direct link between the two explosions or with other recent explosions in Metro Manila," he said. Witnesses in the Puregold explosion said a suspect got off a car and went to the supermarket’s entrance, after which he observed the establishment’s surroundings before returning to the car. “He then came back with a package and hurled it toward the entrance of Puregold Supermarket and hurriedly left on board the car. Seconds later, an explosion took place," Rosales said, quoting witness accounts. - GMANews.TV