Bomb scare at Magellan's Cross

A plastic bag with an electrical wire sent the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit rushing to Magellan's Cross yesterday morning on suspicion that it was a bomb.

But it turned out that the bag only contained pieces of paper, a compact disk, a napkin, and an electrical wire, prompting Mobile Patrol Group chief Arnel Banzon to believe it was meant to scare visitors to the city's most famous landmark.

"Giputos og duha ka plastic bag. Pag-alsa gaan ra kaayo, so nagduda nami nga dili tinuod. So to make it sure, gidala namo sa SRP and opened it," Banzon said.

Initial police investigation revealed the landmark's security guard discovered the plastic bag abandoned at the foot of the cross and transferred it outside.

But when he found an electrical wire attached to the mouth of the bag, he immediately called up SWAT for assistance.

Although there was no commotion in the area, Banzon said they had difficulty responding to the alarm because the crowd hampered them from taking the bag away. - Ryan P. Borinaga