An improvised explosive device detonated near the main entrance of the Philippine Ministry of Justice in Manila early on Monday morning, hours before security officers discovered a second suspected device close to the national Senate building.
The explosion occurred shortly after midnight, causing minor structural damage to surrounding vehicles and property, but resulting in no casualties.
The security scares occurred just hours before Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was due to deliver his annual State of the Nation address to parliament.
National Police Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr told journalists on Monday that investigators believe there is a strong probability the two incidents are linked.
He acknowledged that while security forces had prepared extensive contingency measures for potential threats, the early morning explosive managed to breach security protocols outside the justice ministry.
Local police officials confirmed that forensic investigations are ongoing to determine the exact force and chemical composition of the blast.
Images released by regional news outlets showed a nearby vehicle windscreen cracked by flying debris alongside minor damage near the building entrance.
Manila police spokesman Philipp Ines explained that forensic teams are examining the scene to establish full technical details regarding the size of the device.
A second device was discovered on a street adjacent to the Senate building at around 8.30am local time after a tow truck driver spotted a suspicious package and notified security officers.
Bomb disposal specialists safely removed items from the location, including a blasting cap, a clock mechanism, and a container filled with brown powder for laboratory testing.
Regional police spokeswoman Hazel Asilo declined to estimate the potential blast radius of the second package while testing remains underway.
The incidents occur amidst a period of heightened political friction in the country.
Vice President Sara Duterte is currently facing impeachment proceedings, while public frustration has grown following financial scandals related to flood control efforts by the government.
As investigations into both incidents continue, authorities have significantly increased security across capital government buildings.
