Bomb explodes near Basilan mayor’s house

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An unidentified man hurled an improvised explosive device (IED) near the residence of Mayor Cherry Akbar of Isabela City, Basilan at dawn yesterday.

No one was reported injured or killed in the explosion that awakened residents in Barangay Sunrise, according to Superintendent Albert Larubis, city police chief.

Larubis said prior to the incident another IED fashioned out from mortar shells was found at the nearby Tripple videoke house.

He said experts from the explosive ordnance and disposal (EOD) unit of the police and military were defusing the IED, when an explosion occurred near the fence of Akbar’s compound. 

Larubis said he could not confirm yet if the mayor was the real target of the attack, although intelligence reports hinted that it might be the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf.