US man jumps to death in Manila after drug arrest

Philippines: Philippine officials say a US Navy officer jumped to his death from a second-floor staircase at Manila's airport after he was arrested with a packet of suspected cocaine. But tests later showed the packet contained no illegal drugs.

Aviation police chief Pedro Desuasido said Lt Cmdr Scintar Buenviaje Mejia jumped to his death Monday while a security guard escorted him to the bathroom.

Desuasido says the 35-year-old Mejia died of head injuries. Mejia was a US citizen of Filipino descent.

Mejia was arrested a day earlier at an airport X-ray machine where security personnel discovered a plastic packet containing suspected cocaine in his bag. Desuasido says Mejia denied the packet was his and claimed he was set up.