Bomb explodes in front of Abra official’s house

BAGUIO CITY — A homemade bomb exploded in front of the house of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official in the Abra capital town of Bangued even as stepped-up security measures are in place throughout the region.

Superintendent Calixto Rimas, intelligence chief of the regional police, said the blast in front of the house of assistant provincial district engineer Francisco Astudillo destroyed the gate and shattered the front windows.

Astudillo’s two vehicles, a Honda CRV and a Ford Expedition, were also damaged.

Rimas believes the attack was work-related.

Witnesses said they saw a small fire in front of Astudillo’s house minutes before the explosion.

Meanwhile, the Baguio police have tightened security along the four highways leading to this city to counter terrorist attacks.

Security has also been beefed up in the city’s two malls.

The US-owned aviation microchip company Texas Instruments has also stepped up its security, even requesting the Baguio police for reinforcements. — Artemio Dumlao