LAMITAN, Basilan, Philippines — An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded and destroyed a small lodging house here last Saturday night, but no one was reported hurt.
Investigators said a second bomb was found a few hours later at a hotel in nearby Isabela City while another IED was discovered near a school in Lamitan yesterday morning.
Directorate Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) for Western Mindanao director Chief Superintendent Felisicimo Khu said still unidentified suspects detonated the bomb at Spasky’s Lodging House along Flores Street in Barangay Maligaya, Lamitan.
Investigators said another improvised bomb was discovered near the Sofia Hotel in Isabela City.
Police said another IED was found on a garbage heap near the Lamitan Central School yesterday morning.
Khu said members of the bomb disposal unit found traces of ammonium and fuel oil planted by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group. A cellular telephone detonated the bomb.
Khu told The STAR that they are looking at extortion as possible motive for the bombing.
“If you will check the explosive used this was the work of the Abu Sayyaf and based on our investigation extortion could be the motive in incident,” Khu said.
Khu confirmed that before the explosion, a group of armed men believed to be Abu Sayyaf bandits demanded P30,000 cash from Spasky’s Lodging House owner Jose Tejada who refused to give in to the demands of the suspects.
Initial reports said before the explosion two men arrived and registered at the lodging house. One of the men was carrying a green plastic bag.
The loud explosion occurred after the two men checked out from the inn at around 7 p.m.
Khu said there were no reported casualties but the establishment made of concrete and wood was destroyed.
