Chinese embassy urges Philippines to investigate foiled anti-China bombing attack

The Chinese embassy in Manila on Tuesday urged the Philippine government to "conduct thorough investigations" into the foiled car bombing attack targeting at sites including China's diplomatic organ.

"We have already made urgent representations to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), kept close contacts with Philippine national police, and urged the Philippine side to conduct rapid and thorough investigations on the case," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.

The embassy expects the host country to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of diplomatic missions against any intrusion or damage, prevent any attack on diplomatic staffs and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in the country.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy reminds Chinese entrepreneurs and students in the Philippines to heighten sense of risks and take preventive measures against threats of all kinds.

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose also said on Tuesday that the department was drafting a note verbale to the Chinese embassy to explain the incident.

"We need to assure them that this is not an official government policy and that we do not use violence as a means of resolving the disputes," Jose said.

Jose said, DFA would "officially inform" the Chinese Embassy in Manila of the findings of the investigation of Philippine authorities.

Three military reservists were nabbed last Monday for an attempted car bomb attack at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The suspects later admitted a plan to launch simultaneous attacks at some other sites including the Chinese Embassy and a property company which employ Chinese workers.

Their purpose is to vent their anger at the Philippine government for its "soft approach" in dealing with the territorial disputes with China, according to the suspects.