Bomb threat hits Comelec office in Manila

(Updated 11:28 a.m.) The office of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Wednesday morning received a call from a still unidentified man claiming a bomb has been planted at the third floor of the Comelec annex office in Intramuros, Manila. Virginia Bayer, staff member of Comelec spokesperson and Education and Information Department chief James Jimenez, quoted the man as saying that the threat was in protest for a certain "Miriam." "Sabi niya may tinanim kaming bomba diyan, protesta para kay Miriam ito (He said they planted a bomb here, in protest for Miriam)," Bayer told radio dzBB in an interview. Bayer said elements of the Manila Police District's bomb squad already went to the Comelec office to inspect the area. The police then asked Comelec employees to vacate the annex building. Shortly after, authorities said no bombs were found.
Nonetheless, Jimenez said they have tightened security at the two Comelec buildings. "So far we’re confident, but bilang (as a) response to this, we will ask for double measures," Jimenez said in an interview aired on GMA News’ Flash Report. Asked whether the incident was election-related, Jimenez replied: "It’s election year. Anything is possible. Anything can be connected to the elections." Bayer declined to say whether the caller was referring to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, a reelectionist who is facing a disqualification case before the poll body. The case was filed by lawyer Nombraan Pangcoga, who said the feisty senator, known for her sharp tongue and fancy rhetoric during speeches, "appears to be suffering from a severe mental disorder." Pangacoga is reportedly the former executive assistant for Muslim Affairs to then Executive Secretary Rafael Salas and the former director of the Southern Philippines Development (now the Mindanao Development Authority). GMANews.TV tried to reach Santiago’s camp for comment, but her spokesperson, Tom Tolibas, said they would come out with an official statement later. - Andreo Calonzo and Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMANews.TV