Dustbin blast at presidential palace 'caused by cigarette'

Manila: An explosion occurred in a trash can near the radio and TV office of the presidential palace in central Manila at noon on Monday, but security said there was no breach in security because it was not caused by a bomb but by a "chemical combustion" and a cigarette butt.

"There are no indications of an explosive. We suspect that some chemicals have been compacted in the garbage can. It may have been triggered by something like a cigarette butt," said Delfin Bangit, head of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG).

There was no breach in security around Malacañang, the presidential palace, said Bangit.

Bomb experts rushed to the scene, gathered debris from a green plastic trash bin for investigation, but initial reports indicated the absence of explosive material from the trash bin, said Bangit.

"Nobody was injured," said Press Undersecretary Isabel de Leon, adding that President Gloria Arroyo was in a luncheon meeting with officials from the Intellectual Property Rights Office when the incident occurred.

The president has not changed her schedule for the day, de Leon said.

Radio reports claimed the loud explosion shook the ground and made people come out from their offices at the palace grounds. It was also heard across the Pasig River, which is located at the back of the palace.

The trash bin, located in an area where labourers do construction jobs for the palace, "was shredded beyond recognition," said a source. It had a handle and a roller, and was used by janitors who clean the garden of the palace.

Another source said Arroyo called for further investigation as the PSG raised the alarm level at the palace.

Last Sunday, security forces found a bomb at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in northern Luzon where Arroyo was supposed to grace an alumni homecoming. There were reports that coup plotters would hold her and key cabinet members hostage during the event.

Coup rumours came ahead of the 20th anniversary of the people-backed military mutiny that paved the way for the ouster of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1986.