Pasay police step up probe on explosive device near Senate
Authorities recovered a 9-volt battery, a blasting cap, a clock, and a plastic jar containing a brown powdery substance suspected to be explosive material from a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) found near the Senate of the Philippines (Photo from Pasay City Police)
Pasay City Police are tracing the origin of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) discovered near the Senate building on Monday morning, July 27, and working to identify those responsible for leaving it on Diokno Boulevard.
"We are pursuing all possible leads and reviewing available evidence, including CCTV footage and witness accounts, to identify those behind the incident," said Pasay police chief Col. Joselito M. De Sesto.
He added that security measures around the Senate complex and nearby areas have been strengthened while the investigation is ongoing.
The device was found at around 8:13 a.m. on the center island of Diokno Boulevard in Barangay 76 after authorities received a report of a suspicious object. It was safely neutralized by the Pasay Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
Initial investigation showed that Staff Sgt. Alvin Bremen of the Senate Security Unit was conducting a routine inspection when Orlando Ceramica, an employee of Gringo Towing Service, alerted him to the suspicious item.
Bremen immediately reported the matter, prompting the immediate deployment of the EOD team.
Arriving at 8:23 a.m., the team secured the area and carried out a Render Safe Procedure using the Hand Entry Technique.
Recovered components included a 9‑volt battery, blasting cap, clock, and a plastic jar containing a brown powdery substance suspected to be explosive material.
The operation confirmed the presence of explosive components, which were safely neutralized by 8:40 a.m. without injuries or damage.