DOJ confirms midnight blast in front of main entrance; IED found near Senate 'neutralized'
A member of the PNP bomb disposal unit checks on an improvised explosive device shortly after it was safely disposed on Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City on Monday morning, July 27, 2026, or hours before President Marcos' 5th SONA. (photo: PNP)
An improvised bomb exploded near the entrance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) hours before the start of President Marcos’ 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) while an explosive device was safely disposed of after it was found along Diokno Boulevard where the Senate is located.
In a statement, the DOJ confirmed the explosion at 12:17 a.m. on Monday, July 27, near the main entrance of the establishment on Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila.
“There are no reported casualties, and the Philippine National Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PNP-EOD) Unit was immediately notified and responded to conduct a technical examination,” the DOJ statement read.
The DOJ said police investigators are now looking into the source, nature, and circumstances surrounding the explosion.
“The situation is currently under control, and the DOJ compound remains secure,” it said.
“The DOJ remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and the general public, while supporting a comprehensive and impartial investigation,” the statement added.
later at around 8:15 a.m., an employee of a towing service company sought for police attention after noticing what he suspected to be a suspicious item along Diokno Boulevard.
Police teams were immediately sent to the area and confirmed the presence of explosive component/material.
Discovered were a 9V battery, a blasting cap, a clock, and a plastic jar containing a brown powdery substance suspected to be an explosive material
“The team implemented the appropriate Render Safe Procedure (RSP) utilizing the Hand Entry Technique to safely examine and neutralize the suspected IED. The procedure was successfully completed without incident,” a report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) read.