Monday February 20, 2006
Explosion at Philippine presidential palace grounds sets off coup jitters
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A trash can exploded on the grounds of the Philippine presidential palace Monday, causing no injuries but prompting a massive security clampdown amid intensifying rumors of a coup.
The commander of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's elite guards said there was no indication that the blast had been caused by explosives and speculated that chemical waste may have been ignited inside the green metal bin by a lit cigarette.
Arroyo was having lunch with Intellectual Property Office officials at the riverside palace, Malacanang, when the blast thundered across the heavily guarded compound, prompting employees to flee their offices and security men to scurry to the scene.
Officials immediately cordoned off a grassy spot scattered with fragments of the trash can and ran search dogs to the area.
Arroyo's chief of staff, Mike Defensor, said the blast may have gotten the president worried and blamed groups out to destabilize the government.
"It's business as usual,'' Defensor told reporters. "But I'm sure as a person she's worried about the situation.
"I'm sure this is part of the scare tactics being initiated (by people) who would like to destabilize and to bring down the government,'' Defensor said.
Authorities stepped up security at the palace compound - already tight because of months of swirling coup rumors. Police armed with M16 rifles established checkpoints on key roads leading to the palace and guards inspected cars parked in or entering the area.
Presidential Security Group Commander Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit said Arroyo ordered an investigation. Initial tests showed no explosives had been used, Bangit said, but debris at the scene will be subjected to forensic examination for more conclusive findings.
"We don't believe the security was breached,'' he said.
Rumors of a possible coup have intensified ahead of the 20th anniversary this week of the "people power'' revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The 17,000-strong national police force went on full alert nationwide Friday because of those rumors and ongoing anti-government protests.
Separately, an unexploded grenade - its safety pin removed - was found by guards near the government's National Printing Office in Manila on Monday. The military played down the discovery, saying the grenade was left by one of several soldiers who stopped by the area en route to a province.
Security officials have said certain groups were planning to unseat Arroyo but played down their chances of success.
"Based on my assessment, they have no capability; that (coup d'etat) will not happen,'' Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz told reporters.-AP
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