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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP vows to get those behind 2 IED incidents in Manila, Pasay

PNP vows to get those behind 2 IED incidents in Manila, Pasay

Published Jul 28, 2026 01:22 pm
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a thorough investigation into the explosion in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila and an improvised explosive device found near the Senate in Pasay City hours before President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The two IED incidents became the highlight in the security measures for SONA but Nartatez said the tight security measures in key and strategic areas like the Batasan Pambansa foiled the attempt to disrupt the activity.
More than 21,000 policemen were tapped to secure the SONA and this was augmented by thousands more personnel from various government agencies.
“Ang kasamaan ay hindi magwawagi kailanman (Evil will never prevail). They tried but failed to disrupt SONA. Now, it’s our turn to unmask all the people behind these two incidents. And we are committed to hold them responsible,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez said part of the investigation is to establish whether or not the two incidents are related and are connected to the failed attempt to disrupt the SONA, “There is a big possibility that these two incidents are related. I trust that our investigators will get to the bottom of this similar to how criminal incidents were immediately solved.”
The explosion occurred around midnight in front of the DOJ office on Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila while an improvised explosive device was found on Diokno Boulevard near the Senate in Pasay City. The two incident happened hours before the SONA.
Nartatez said the police investigators are now conducting backtracking of all the available pieces of information that could lead to the identification of the persons who put the IEDs in the two areas, among them are CCTVs and witnesses accounts.
He said the intensified security measures since the weekend for the SONA—including deployment of a sufficient number of policemen at the Batasan Pambansa and other vital establishments— prevented those responsible for a more serious attempt to disrupt the activity.
Nartatez said they will also coordinate with other investigating and intelligence agencies in the conduct of the investigation, particularly on the aspect of establishing the motive and ensuring that criminal charges are filed against those responsible.
He also assured the public that police officers across the country remain on alert following the incidents, adding that security operations will continue to prevent similar attacks and ensure the safety of the public.
“Let me assure the public that our personnel will remain vigilant as we continue to maintain heightened alert against any possible attacks,” Nartatez said.

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