MANILA - The Philippine police confirmed on Monday that a suspected bomb found near the US embassy in Manila was an improvised explosive device.

Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa also told a televised press conference that the device was similar to the one used in the bomb blast in Davao City in September that killed 15.

"An argument can be made" that the Maute group was behind the attempted bomb attack, though "there is no hard evidence yet," he said.

Molly Koscina, press attache and First Secretary of the US Embassy said: "This morning a municipal employee reported the discovery of a device to US Embassy guards, who immediately contacted the police," and the "Philippine National Police took quick and appropriate action to ensure the safety of all."

The Manila Police District (MPD) bomb squad responded to a report of a "suspicious package" near the US embassy. Police closed the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard in front of the US embassy at around 7:30 am. (2330 GMT Sunday).

The MPD bomb squad detonated the suspected bomb, and the road has been opened to traffic.

A street sweeper said they discovered the suspected bomb in a trash can, which has a cellular phone with black and red wires connected to a black circular object.