ZAMBOANGA CITY - Authorities foiled the bombing of a polling center in Isabele City, Basilan after recovering an improvised explosive device minutes before the closing of the barangay elections on Monday afternoon.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 9, said the improvised bomb was discovered at the Isabela City Pilot Elementary School in Barangay Tabuk about 2:30 p.m.
Huesca said a civilian discovered the bomb concealed in a bag and planted at the back of the school building.
The elements of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 9 defused the bomb, made of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO).
Huesca said that the bomber could have been forced to abandon the bomb due to the heavy presence of security forces at the polling precinct.