Incident Summary:

12/30/2000: In a string of near simultaneous attacks, a bomb exploded near the aviation fuel depot at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines. The explosion did not ignite the fuel, but did cause injuries. The series of attacks killed 22 and injured approximately 100 people. The attack was not claimed, however more recent sources implicate Jemaah Islamiyah.

GTD ID:
200012300003

When:
2000-12-30

Country:
Philippines

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Metropolitan Manila

City:
Paranque

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Airports and Aircraft
Name of Entity Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Specific Description Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines
Nationality of Target Philippines
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Unknown Explosive Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information This was one of five related attacks (cf. 200012300001-200012300005). There were 22 reported killed, but the distribution of casualties at each location is unclear. The recorded injuries are an average of the approximate 100 reported injuries across the five bomb sites. There were no credible claims of responsibility for the attacks in Manila. Police hinted that Muslim rebels could be involved, specifically the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A presidential spokesman implicated communist rebels. The powerful political opposition hinted at unidentified forces who want to distract the population from President Joseph Estrada's impeachment trial on corruption charges. More recent sources implicate Jemaah Islamiyah
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Jemaah Islamiya (JI) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators Unknown
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 2 Fatalities / 20 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 2
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 20
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
Adam, Brown, “5 Bombings Leave 14 Dead, Dozens Injured,” Sunday Michigan Edition, December 31, 2000.
“Filipinos reeling after blasts,” Diseret News, December 31, 2000.
“5 Bombs Rip Through Philippine Capital; At Least 14 are Killed, Dozens are; Injured; Rebel Groups are Blamed Although None Admits Guilt; Attacks Frighten Filipinos,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 31, 2000.