Police: Grenade found near US Embassy

cherrylovekalbs · November 17, 2010

Tension gripped a portion of Roxas Boulevard after a bag containing a hand grenade was found near the US Embassy's seafront compound in Pasay City before noon Wednesday, police said.

SPO1 Benjamin Umali of the the Pasay City Police Tactical Operations Center (TOC) told GMANews.TV the grenade was found around 11:25 a.m., but he did not confirm an earlier report claiming that a grenade launcher was among the items inside the bag. "Operatives recovered a bag containing a hand grenade. Hindi pa sure ang TOC dun sa launcher, wala pang complete report na fina-file, e (I am not sure about the report about the launcher. The TOC has not filed a complete report on the incident)," Umali said.

In a text message to reporters, US Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson lauded the police for the prompt action.

"We commend their prompt action. We are grateful that no one was injured in the incident," she said.

Thompson said a street sweeper found the bag and reported the matter to local authorities.

Earlier, dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that traffic on a section of Roxas Boulevard near the embassy was disrupted as Pasay City police rushed to the scene after embassy officials called them in.

The radio report said a grenade and a launcher were found in a green bag.

The US Embassy's seafront compound along 1021 Roxas Boulevard houses the quarters for the consul and staff members.

An initial investigation showed embassy officials called in the police after finding a green clutch bag wrapped inside a plastic bag outside the premises.

Police said are looking for leads on who left the bag there.

The incident occurred more than two weeks after the US State Department issued a travel advisory warning its nationals of a possible terrorist attack on the Philippines.

The US and five other countries issued travel advisories on possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines after a foiled bombing attempt on the US in late October.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/20101117/tph-police-grenade-found-near-us-embassy-d6cd5cf.html