Abu Sayyaf tagged in Lamitan police station blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An improvised bomb exploded Sunday night outside the gate of the police station in Lamitan City, Basilan, according to a security official.

Senior Superintendent Oscar Nantes, Basilan Provincial Police director, said the blast occurred around 9:10 p.m. outside of the Lamitan City Police Station at Barangay Matibay.

Nantes said no one was reported hurt or injured by the improvised explosive device

However, residents and authorities said the explosion was powerful enough to alarm the town.

Nantes said reports from Lamitan Police Station chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the IED was placed outside in one of the posts of gate 2 of the police station.

The explosion brought minor damage to the concrete post.

Police suspected that an Abu Sayyaf bomber slipped the IED into a dark alley while the city was experiencing a blackout Sunday night.

The police said it believes the attack could be in retaliation for the relentless security campaign of the police forces which prevented the Abu Sayyaf group from conducting extortion activities and smuggling illegal drugs in the city.