Philippines assures safety of Chinese nationals

MANILA - The Philippine government on Wednesday assured the safety of Chinese nationals after authorities foiled attempts by plotters to bomb the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Chinese embassy in the Philippine capital region of Metro Manila.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in an interview with a local radio station that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent a note verbale to China through its embassy in Manila to assure them that efforts are being made to ensure the safety of its nationals in the Philippines.

"We also indicated in the note verbale that we are doing everything we can to maintain peace and order in our country," said Coloma in the vernacular.

Three military reservists were arrested on Monday for an attempted car bomb attack at the NAIA. The suspects later admitted a plan to launch simultaneous attacks at other sites including the Chinese embassy and a property company which employs Chinese workers. Also seized from the suspects were anti-China manifestos.

The three suspects said they hatched the bomb plot to vent their anger at the Philippine government for its "soft approach" in its territorial dispute with China.

The Chinese embassy in Manila on Tuesday urged the Philippine government to conduct a thorough investigation into the foiled car bombing attempt.