NAIA T3 on full alert over suspected bomb interception

NAIA Terminal 3 (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3) are on full alert after police were able to intercept a suspected car bomb in the airport’s parking lot on Monday morning.

According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) at around 1:45 a.m., six to eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were intercepted at the NAIA T3 parking B.

The car was reported to be a dirty white Toyota Revo with the plate number WMK 129, police reports showed.

Three suspects have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which will be presented to the prosecutors on Tuesday (Sept 2).

NBI said that aside from the IEDs found in the car, a number of firearms were also seized from the suspects.

MIAA, however, assured the public that NAIA T3 and all other terminals remain safe.

“Airport security personnel continue to stay vigilant in their respective areas,” MIAA said in a statement sent to reporters.

“The MIAA supports all efforts of law enforcements agencies of government towards protecting lives and properties from people or groups who want to instill havoc and disturb peace and order in the country,” it added.

For its part, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the alert level has been heightened in airports nationwide.

The heightened alert status means that 50 percent of its security personnel have to be at their posts at any time.