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SAN FERNANDO, La Union – Bomb experts from the Philippine Navy’s Explosive and Ordnance Division (EOD) and the police’s bomb disposal unit here defused two bombs placed by an unidentified man  below the monument of Speaker Pro Tempore Francisco  Ortega, a few meters away from the main door of the City Hall Friday night.

Ilocos police director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, who personally supervised the disposal operation, said the bomb was placed inside a backpack and was left by an unidentified man  in a crowded area at around 8 p.m.

“The  bombs have timers made up of alarm clocks and three pieces of TNT (trinotoluene). It could have exploded in the area if not seen by witnesses who immediately reported it to the police,” Bataoil said.

He added that the area near the City Hall has been declared safe after the navy’s EOD led by Lt. Commander Carlos Yumol Garcia Jr. and the policemen carefully search the place.

Superintendent Rolando Bersola, the city police chief, said the timer was still running when they were defusing the  bomb.

He said two women – Jenny Ajolo, 20, and Teresita Dumo, 24 – reported to the police that at around 7:35 p.m., a man, between 28-30 years old, at least 5’7”, has straight hair and wearing gray t-shirt placed the bag under the plants below the monument and casually walked away.

 Ajolo and Dumo  opened  the bag and saw the bomb.

They immediately reported the matter to the police and  the police called for assistance from the Navy based in Poro Point here.