2 bombs found, detonated in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines—Two bombs were found and detonated in Isabela City in Basilan on Sunday afternoon, local authorities said.

Chief Superintendent Elpidio de Asis, police chief for Western Mindanao, said the first bomb was found around 1:30 p.m. in the village of Mabarakat, near a store owned by Parouk Majirul, the executive assistant of Governor Jum Akbar.

The improvised explosive was placed inside a blue plastic bag, De Asis said.

Senior Supt. Allan Nazaro, Isabela police chief, said the explosive contained a triggering device, battery and nails as shrapnel.

Colonel Ricardo Visaya, chief of the 104th Infantry Brigade, said another bomb was found in the village of Aguada at around 3:30 p.m.

The bomb was placed in a motorcycle also owned by Majirul.

The loud explosions heard during the detonation “may have caused residents to think there was an explosion but our EOD units were just disrupting the explosives,” Nazaro said.

Police and military are still investigating the motive of the failed bomb attacks on the governor’s staff.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad earlier said authorities had claimed the explosives had been “disrupted.”