(UPDATED) Authorities are investigating a small explosion that hit the open parking lot at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
A joint probe is now being conducted by members of the MIAA Airport Police Department (MIAA-APD) and the PNP-Aviation Security Unit (PNP-Avseu) on the blast that took place 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Both police units immediately responded to the scene and secured the perimeter of the open parking.
Based on initial information, the blast came from the direction of the open parking area fronting Terminal 3.
Southern Police Chief District Director Gen. Roderick Mariano said in an interview on Teleradyo Sebrisyo that the explosion was caused by am improvosed bomb or a "molotov cocktail" that was hurled from outside the parking area.
Upon inspection, probers discovered remains of a glass bottle of a popular energy drink that was shattered by explosion. The bottle reportedly contained flammable liquid and wrapped with cloth.
"Base sa report ng ating airport police at base sa witness na naghatid ng pasahero sa aiport nakita nila inihagis sa mula labas ng parking area, tumama sa isang Fortuner. Nabasag nga ang bote at ang imbestigasyon ng ating EOD (explosive ordnance division) merong gasolina at tumama sa isang kotse na nakaparada rin," he said.
The glass shards hit three vehicles parked nearby.
"Nanggaling sa labas ng parking area, along the road going to skyway. Sa may dulo po bago dumating ng resorts world," said Mariano.
Probers were looking for CCTV footage that might identify the perpetrator.
"May mga CCTV pero according to the Airport Police, mahigit na isang taon nang 'di gumagana mga CCTV sa labas at sa gilid ng airport area. Meron din tayong nakitan roon na guard house na unmanned na hindi nababatayan,"" said Mariano.
The explosion, he said, has no clear target. The vehicles parked in the area were left by vacationers, said the SPD police director.
"'Yung mga sasakyan na nakaparada matagal nang nakaparada roon siguro ito 'yung mga umalis at nagbakasyon," said Mariano.
MIAA-Officer in Charge Bryan Co has ordered the Airport Police Department to beef up foot and K9 patrol in public areas and increase police visibility around the Terminal areas.
Co also called on the airport community to monitor suspicious movements in the airport complex.