Three Suspects Arrested in Foiled NAIA Bombing Attempt

(PNA) — Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of three suspects in the foiled bombing attempt at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday.

In a press conference, De Lima identified the suspects as Grandeur Pepito Guerrero, the self-proclaimed general of the so-called USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East); Emmanuel San Pedro and Sonny Yohanon.

De Lima said Guerrero’s group was allegedly frustrated on government stance against China, the oligarchs, taipans and monopolistic business in the Philippines, hence, they have plans to bomb SM Mall of Asia (MOA), stripping of the Chinese Embassy and the DMCI, both in Makati City.

Initial investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) showed that the foiled NAIA bombing attempt was an initial salvo of operations by the misguided group of Guerrero using the IID (Improvised Incendiary Device) which has an impact to a distance of from 5 to 10-meter radius and has the capacity to injure and cause loss of lives.

De Lima said the three suspects will be inquested for illegal possession of explosives under existing laws while the conspiracy to commit terror is still under study.

She added that apparently, not only three suspects are operating, hence, a follow-up investigation is being done to determine the agenda and actual purpose, who are the people behind it, and if the agenda of the group was really against China, the oligarchs, taipans and monopolistic business in the Philippines.

Initial technical evaluation of the NBI Counter-Terrorism Division showed that the seized IID can create loud explosion or cause loud explosion and result to fire to a distance of 5 to 10 meter radius that can result to injuries or loss of lives.

Also seized from the suspects was a copy of a manifesto entitled “Manipesto ng Kilusan Laban sa Pananakop” dated Aug. 25, 2014 and was changed to Sept. 1, 2014.

De Lima noted that there is also an “ostensible agenda” of the group such that there is a list of e-mail addresses to be sent a manifesto supposedly by Monday if the group’s bombing attempt succeeded.

The DOJ Chief added that Guerrero admitted that he is a member of Guardians.

“Government authorities are determined in doing their work to go against these efforts,” De Lima said.

De Lima added that the NBI has the idea on how many the members of the group are based on the information provided by the information but still has to be validated. (PNA) FPV/PTR