A homemade bomb detonated near the entrance of the Philippine Department of Justice just after midnight on Monday, causing no casualties. Hours later, a suspected unexploded device was found near the country’s Senate, just before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was due to deliver his annual State of the Nation Address.
National police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr told reporters there was a “big possibility or probability that the two incidents are related.” He acknowledged that despite existing plans for “bomb threats, actual bombings, and other things, something got past us and exploded in front of the Department of Justice.”
The scale of the blast has not yet been confirmed. “We are still investigating, so we cannot give you details on how massive or small the explosion was,” said Manila police spokesperson Philipp Ines. Images circulated by Philippine media showed a cracked vehicle windscreen and a small amount of debris at the scene.
The Department of Justice said the explosion occurred at around 12:17 am on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila. It stated that an investigation was underway to determine the source, nature, and circumstances of the blast, adding that the situation was under control and the compound remained secure.
At the Senate, the suspected device was spotted on a street about 150 metres from the gate, just before 8:30 am, by a tow truck driver who alerted security staff, according to Senate Sergeant at Arms Alfred Corpuz. Personnel trained in handling explosive ordnance removed material from the scene, including a blasting cap, a clock, and a jar containing a “brown powder” for testing. Regional police spokeswoman Hazel Asilo declined to estimate the size of the explosion the device could have produced.
Despite the discovery, the Senate proceeded with the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress at 10 am under tightened security. Senate President Win Gatchalian condemned the apparent attempt to sow fear and called on the Philippine National Police to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.
The incidents occurred against a backdrop of significant political strain. Vice President Sara Duterte is currently in the middle of an impeachment trial that began earlier in July, involving allegations of misusing public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and grave threats against President Marcos Jr and the First Lady.
The trial has deepened the long-standing rift between the Marcos and Duterte political camps, which had previously formed a powerful alliance in the 2022 elections. A conviction could remove Duterte from office and bar her from future public roles, potentially affecting her prospects for the 2028 presidential election.
Public discontent has also been fuelled by a corruption scandal tied to bogus flood control projects, with reports raising concerns over anomalous assets and recovered funds. Opinion polls have identified corruption and rising food prices as the top issues ahead of the address.
The incidents have prompted calls for enhanced security measures across government institutions. PNP personnel responded swiftly to both scenes, with explosive ordnance teams handling the suspected device near the Senate. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
Marcos’s fifth SONA is expected to outline priorities for the final two years of his administration, with economic recovery, disaster preparedness, and responses to regional issues such as inflation and security likely to feature prominently.
Officials have stressed that operations at key government buildings continue normally despite the security alerts, with the focus on ensuring public safety during the legislative opening and presidential address. Authorities say they are continuing to investigate potential links between the two incidents while maintaining vigilance across the capital, with forensic-analysis of recovered materials expected to yield further details in the coming days.
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