Bomb found in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Army Scout Rangers seized a powerful improvised bomb on a passenger jeepney in downtown   Lamitan in Basilan shortly before noon yesterday.

The Scout Rangers are questioning two suspects, whose names have not been released.

Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo,  Lamitan City police chief, said the Scout Rangers found the bomb on the jeepney while   it was parked in the oval near the commercial district on a tip from an intelligence asset.

The Scout Rangers found the bomb inside a medium carton box covered with okra after searching the jeepney, he added.

The jeepney had just arrived from Al-Barka town, Gallardo said.

Police said the bomb was made of two kilos of ammonium nitrate and half kilo of common nails.

A bottle of gasoline was to be used as incendiary, police  added.

Police could not yet say if the bomb was planted to divert the attention of troops running after the Abu Sayyaf in the mountains of Basilan.