The bomb was later detonated in a safe place.
Sr. Supt. Rogelio Nuneza, police city director, downplayed the incident.
"That package contained paint and we threw it into a gutter and it exploded," Nuneza said.
A check by The STAR with other policemen, showed that the home-made bomb which was concealed in a wrapped package, was left under a car parked between Loy’s Pharmacy and Gaisano Superstore, along crowded Cabili Avenue here.
Sidewalk vendors who saw the "package" called up the police, who in turn sent the bomb squad. The bomb squad pulled out the package from under the car and threw it into a gutter where it exploded.
A witness said she saw a woman in a Muslim attire place the package under the car. Another witness (a reporter) said he heard a loud explosion, which sent people scampering for safety.
Stores and other establishments along the said street closed down but resumed business after a few hours.
This city celebrates its annual fiesta today. In 1992, during the Easter Sunday celebration, a grenade was thrown into the crowd at the entrance of the compound of the Saint Michael’s Cathedral, killing and wounding scores of devotees. — Lino dela Cruz