Ex-nuisance candidate Elly Pamatong admits role in foiled NAIA bomb try

(Updated 9:05 a.m.) Former presidential nuisance candidate Elly Pamatong, infamous for lacing Metro Manila's roads with spikes or caltrops in 2004, on Wednesday admitted to being partly responsible for a set of explosives found at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

"Well, to a certain extent I am responsible kasi in-encourage ko yang si Jojo [Guerrero]. My instruction was to do everything reasonable to stop Chinese economic domination of the Philippines, and dismemberment of the Philippines," Pamatong said in a report on GMA News' "Saksi."



Grandeur Jojo Guerrero was among the three suspects arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation  Monday for the attempted bombing at the NAIA.

Aside from the explosives, NBI agents also seized a four-page document from the suspects which detailed a plan to strafe the Chinese embassy in Manila.

The suspects were charged with illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms.

Pamatong had run for president in 2004 and 2010 but was dismissed as a nuisance candidate both times.

He advocated turning the Philippines into an American state.

In 2004, he claimed responsibility for laying down spikes on several roads in Metro Manila, puncturing the tires of several vehicles.

He said this was in protest of what he called massive corruption in the government.

Pamatong ran for Pampanga governor in 2007 even though he was a native of Zamboanga. Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio won that year.

In 2008, Pamatong sued then Pope Benedict XVI and then Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales for allegedly violating the human rights of non-Catholics.

In 2010, he was jailed after calling Commission on Elections officials "thieves." — Joel Locsin/DVM/KG, GMA News