The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested four suspects tagged in a foiled car bomb attack at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday.
According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), a white Toyota Revo with plate number WMK 129 was intercepted at the NAIA-3’s parking lot B at around 1:45 a.m. Reports said the vehicle contained improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including banned firecrackers.
The bomb scare prompted airport authorities to place the entire NAIA complex in full alert. Airport security personnel intensified inspections of vehicles entering the airport area but airport operations were normal throughout the day.
Elements of the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD) and NBI Counter-Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD) tracked down the suspects during simultaneous operations in Makati and the vicinity of SM Mall of Asia.
An Inquirer.net report said the suspects belong to a rightist group dissatisfied with the government’s action against Chinese military activities in Spratly Islands.
The same report said the NBI was able to retrieve a manifesto from the suspects. Documents retrieved were said to contain the group’s plan to bomb SM Mall of Asia, real estate developer DMCI’s main office, and the Chinese Embassy.