Bomb blasts hit Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY - At least two bomb explosions rocked Isabela City in Basilan province, before dawn Friday.

Superintendent Albert Larubis, Isabela City police chief,said the first bomb exploded at the entrance gate of the Cargill Oil Mil Philippines' staff house along Valderoza Street in Barangay Sunrise at around 1:45 a.m.

The blast left a visible crack on the gate's post.

Larubis said that according to witnesses a man alighted from a pick-up truck and left a native woven bag at the entrance gate before the explosion.

He said that the possible motive for the bombing was extortion. He said that prior to the incident, Abu Sayyaf member Moton Indama demanded P50,000 from the company's branch manager.

Two hours later, patrolling military personnel recovered an improvised bomb from an unidentified suspect in Barangay La Piedad at around 3:45 a.m.

The man carrying the bomb, placed in a native bag, was able to escape.

Larubis said the bomb was made of three rounds of 60mm mortar, parts from a cellular phone, a 9-volts battery, two electric switches, wires, and three improvised electric blasting cap.

The Philippine Army's Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit detonated the bomb with a water disruptor.