Bags in San Juan bomb scare yield clothes

The bags that induced a bomb scare and prompted authorities to temporarily close a road in San Juan City have been verified to be free from explosives.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "Balitanghali", the bags found outside a commercial complex on N. Domingo Street contained clothes and may have been accidentally left behind.

The street was closed to traffic and the building cleared of people. 

We responded to a bomb threat incident at Puregold Agora, San Juan after a suspicious bag was left at the entrance of the supermarket. Our San Juan chapter immediately dispatched an ambulance team and alerted nearby chapters. The bomb squad verified there were no explosives. pic.twitter.com/ePhZMqWGpv

— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) December 26, 2017

A bomb squad arrived at the area to respond to the reported bomb scare. A bomb technician donning an “advanced bomb suit” approached the bags and verified their contents using a portable x-ray machine.

The bags were later dragged to the center of the closed street using hook and line and were blasted open through a method called “water disruption,” or the firing of high-pressure water on suspected explosive devices.

Senior Superintendent Lawrence Coop said the reaction and response of the public in proximity with the bomb scare showed they were aware of the risks such suspicious items pose.

“Ito ay isang positive response ng ating kababayan, at...nagpapakita ng awareness nila sa threat ng terrorism,” Coop said.

Police advised the public to report emergency situations to national emergency hotline 911. —NB, GMA News