Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Thursday investigators have made a major breakthrough in the probe into the July 27 explosion outside the Department of Justice compound in Manila with a lead on the source of the explosive material and charges now being prepared.
Vida said the investigation has became clearer after law enforcement agencies identified a possible source of the explosive material used in the blast.
“Yes, nag-evolved po yan pero siyempre po, medyo gumanda po, nagkaroon ng liwanag yung pagsabog dito nung July 27,” Vida said during a preliminary investigation.
“Yung posibleng pinagkunan ng explosive material, medyo gumanda po, nagkaroon ng liwanag,” he added.
Vida said investigators are now preparing possible charges in connection with the source of the explosive material.
However, he said investigators are still working to establish if other individuals may have been involved in planning or carrying out the blast.
“At ngayon po ay nakakaharap (na) sa kaukulang kaso… pero kung paano maitatahi doon sa individual, sa mga individual na tumulong or nagplano, hayaan muna natin magpatuloy ang investigation,” Vida said.
He said law enforcement agencies now have a stronger lead that could help identify those behind the incident.
Asked whether investigators were looking into a group or a particular individual, Vida said all possibilities remain open.
“We’re not discounting anything, lahat open,” he said.
Vida also confirmed that investigators already have a lead on the person or persons involved in making the explosive and possibly leaving it near the DOJ compound.
“Meron na lead, pero yung particular na pangalan, detalye, ongoing po ang pagkilos ng ating law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), struck near the entrance of the DOJ compound along Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila, at about 12:17 a.m. on July 27, 2026.
No casualties were reported.
The Philippine National Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (PNP-EOD) Unit was immediately alerted and conducted a technical examination of the area.
Investigators have also been looking into a possible link between the DOJ explosion and an IED discovered near the Senate hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address.
The DOJ earlier said the situation was under control and that the compound remained secure while a comprehensive and impartial investigation was being conducted.#