Bomb explodes outside Philippine justice ministry; suspected device found near Senate before Marcos speech

A homemade bomb exploded outside the Philippine justice ministry early on Monday, and a suspected unexploded device was later found near the Senate hours before President Ferdinand Marcos was due to deliver his annual State of the Nation address.

Officials said the explosion happened shortly after midnight near the entrance to the Department of Justice and caused no casualties.

Manila police spokesperson Philipp Ines said investigators had not yet determined the size of the explosion.

National police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said there was a “big possibility or probability” that the two incidents were connected.

He said police had contingency plans for bomb threats and explosions but acknowledged that a device had detonated outside the justice ministry.

Police said the suspected device near the Senate was spotted shortly before 8:30 a.m. on a street beside the building. A tow truck driver alerted security personnel.

Explosive-ordnance personnel removed material from the scene, including a blasting cap, a clock and a jar containing brown powder. The powder was taken for testing.

Regional police spokesperson Hazel Asilo declined to estimate the size of the explosion the suspected device could have caused.

Marcos was due to deliver his address amid political tensions, with Vice President Sara Duterte facing an impeachment trial and voters affected by a corruption scandal involving bogus flood-control projects.