In September 2014, terminal three of Ninoy Aquino International Airport was the target of a foiled bombing plot.[1]
| Date | September 1, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Cause | Anti-Chinese resentment |
| Organised by | United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East |
| Outcome | Plot foiled, multiple arrests |
Plot
editThree individuals were arrested, and the motivation was initially speculated to be related to Islamist militants.[2] The office building is owned by DMCI Holdings, a company owned by Chinese Filipinos.[3]
Aftermath
editAuthorities later arrested the leader of the thirteen-year-old organization, a lawyer; previously he was a lawyer for the Moro National Liberation Front.[4] The National Bureau of Investigation stated that the arrest was not related to the bomb plot, but to an "attack" on EDSA in 2004.[5] The "attack" is claimed to be a "protest" by the lawyer, who lost in the 2004 Philippine presidential elections.[6] The lawyer later stated that he did not want his associates to bomb the airport, but to use the explosives on Chinese ships in the Spratly Islands.[4] The lawyer was released on bail.[7]
The lawyer calls his organization "United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East".[7] Justice Secretary Leila de Lima called the actions of the group "misguided".[8] The Director General of the National Security Council called the group a "dubious organisation led by delusional leaders."[4] The Philippine Armed Forces called the bomb plot "comic relief", while the National Bureau of Investigation did not dismiss the attack.[9]
Effects
editThe three arrested individuals were charged with illegal possession of explosives. All were represented by a single lawyer, with ties to the Marcos presidency, who claimed that the three are fall guys in a plot by the Aquino Administration to create instability to allow the constitution to be amended so that President Aquino can serve more than one term.[10] The charges were later endorsed by the Department of Justice, but charges of illegal possession of firearms were dropped.[11]
Following the bombing plot, and an unrelated kidnapping of a Chinese teenager, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning advising its nationals not to travel to the Philippines.[12]
References
edit- ^ Joseph, Elizabeth; Cullinane, Susannah (September 1, 2014). "Alleged bomb plot foiled at Manila airport, state-run media report". United States: CNN. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Mogato, Manuel; Birsel, Robert (September 1, 2014). "Philippines foils car-bomb plot at airport, shopping mall". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Larano, Cris; Cuneta, Josephine (September 2, 2014). "Philippines Airport Bomb Plotters Allegedly Planned Attacks on Chinese Targets in Manila". Wall Street Journal. United States. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ a b c Dacanay, Barabara Mae (September 4, 2014). "Ringleader in Philippine airport bomb plot arrested". Gulf News. United Arab Emeritus. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Alamar, Noel (September 4, 2014). "Ely Pamatong arrested". Philippines: ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Galupo, Rey (September 6, 2014). "Pamatong posts bail, admits knowing bomb suspects". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ a b "Pamatong vows to reclaim China-occupied territories". The Philippine Star. Philippines. September 8, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Shankar, Sneha (September 2, 2014). "Philippines Arrests 3 Men Plotting To Bomb Chinese Embassy, Manila's International Airport". International Business Times. United States. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Robles, Alan (September 3, 2014). "Philippines thwarts attack on Chinese embassy, arresting three plotters". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Macairan, Evelyn (September 3, 2014). "'General,' cohorts in NAIA bombing attempt charged". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ Meruenas, Mark (September 29, 2014). "DOJ OKs criminal raps vs. 3 in foiled NAIA bomb try". GMA News. Philippines. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ^ "China Issues Travel Warning for The Philippines". Macau Daily Times. Macau. Associated Press. September 15, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2015.