Rizal Day Bombings
What Happened
Five coordinated bombs exploded across Metro Manila within about an hour on Rizal Day, a national holiday commemorating the martyrdom of national hero José Rizal. The attacks—targeting a plaza, a gas station, an airport cargo area, a city bus, and a commuter train—killed 22 people and injured over 100, with the train bombing at Blumentritt station causing the most casualties. The attacks were later linked to the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.
Historical Context
The bombings marked one of the first major terrorist attacks in the Philippines tied to the broader Jemaah Islamiyah network active across Southeast Asia at the time, and led to a lengthy investigation and prosecution that stretched over several years.
Timeline of the Event
- Five bombs are planted at separate locations across Metro Manila.
- Devices detonate within roughly an hour of each other on the Rizal Day holiday.
- The Blumentritt LRT station bombing causes the highest number of casualties.
- 22 people are killed and over 100 injured across all five sites.
- Investigators later link the attacks to the militant network Jemaah Islamiyah.
The Five Seconds Connection
In Five Seconds Too Late, the trio lands near the Blumentritt station moments before the blast, caught in the panic of a crowded commuter platform with no way to clear the area in time. It's one of the lesser-known jumps in the book, and one Lucy specifically pushes to include in the archive so it isn't forgotten.