Bomb scare hits airport on K-9 blunder

A black attaché case left by Samar Gov. Raul Daza caused a stir at the Manila Domestic Airport, which was packed with passengers rushing to get to the provinces for the Lenten break yesterday.

Retired Brig. Gen. Angel Atutubo, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager for emergency and security services, said the governor’s attaché case was left behind by an aide at the arrival area of the old domestic airport at around 9:45 a.m.

Spotted by airport personnel, the attaché case, which looked new, became a source of concern since it had no name tags.

Making matters worse, a K-9 bomb-sniffing dog of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group that was made to smell the attaché case lay down on the floor — a signal that it had smelled explosives.

This prompted airport security personnel to put up a police "Do Not Cross" line around the attaché case.

Atutubo said a bomb disposal team from the PNP-ASG and other airport security personnel were preparing for the removal of the "bomb" when Daza came back to the airport to retrieve the attaché case.

"Buti na lang rin dumating si Governor. Nakalimutan niya lang daw," Atutubo told The Star.

It was learned that Daza had just arrived from a Cebu Pacific flight from Samar earlier in the morning.

When opened with the help of Daza, the attaché case was found to contain only documents.

Due to the "canine error," Atutubo said, the bomb-sniffing Belgian Malinois of the PNP-ASG would probably have to undergo re-training an re-evaluation.

In Pasay City, tension gripped a bus terminal after an unidentified passenger left a bag believed to contain explosives.

Reports said the bag was left behind at around 1:20 a.m. at the waiting area of the Victory Bus Line terminal located along EDSA.

Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) operatives of the Pasay City police were immediately dispatched to the scene. No bomb was found.

"Wala naman pala. Naiwan lang ng isang pasahero yung bag, binalikan din agad," Inspector Lerpon Platon said in an interview. "We were informed by security guards that people in the area just panicked."

The Victory Bus Line terminal in Pasay City was among the busiest terminals in Metro Manila yesterday as families headed to the provinces for the long Lenten break.

Pasay authorities said the public should not hesitate in reporting suspicious bags and packages.

Police said it is always better to be safe and alert than sorry. – With Michael Punongbayan