'Christmas gift' with cryptic note alarms workers of QC building

(UPDATE 3 - 5:20 pm) A box that looked like a Christmas gift, but contained a cryptic message and some components such as those used in making improvised explosive devices, was found inside the President Tower Residences along Timog Avenue in Quezon City, radio dzBB's Alan Gatus reported on Friday. A box containing electrical wires, cellular phones, and two plastic bottles with a red-colored liquid substance was found on the 22nd floor of the condominium, according to the dzBB report. Chief Inspector Arnulfo Franco, head of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) bomb squad, said the box looked like a Christmas gift and had a note attached to it, which read, "Bago mo buksan itong regalo, tawagan mo muna itong numerong ito (Before you open this gift, call this number first)." Improvised explosive devices often utilize a cellphone as part of the trigger mechanism, which is turned on by an incoming call. Rene Padernilia, an employee of New San Jose Builders Inc., which holds offices at the President Tower Residences, reportedly saw the box inside the elevator. The package was reportedly for Maria Jose Bautista, daughter of the owner of San Jose Builders. In an interview with dzBB, Padernilia recounted that he brought the package to their office, and placed it on the table of Bautista's secretary. Padernilla's co-workers reportedly grew suspicious, prompting them to bring the package to the building's guards, who opened it. Operatives of the QCPD bomb squad have not released official findings of their investigation as of posting time. Scout Ybardolaza St. and a portion of Timog Avenue fronting the building have been closed by police to traffic pending investigation into the incident. - Nikka Corsino/ARCS/JV, GMANews.TV