Bomb explodes in Philippines’ Muslim south

Rasa - No casualties reported from blast at district engineer’s residence in Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Basilan province.

News ID: 1413

Date: 17 October 2014 - 02:04

RNA - The World Bulletin reports that an improvised explosive device planted by suspected militants exploded at a district engineer’s residence Wednesday night in a southern Philippine province known as an Abu Sayyaf stronghold.

Isabela City police chief Supt. Albert Larubis told local radio station DXNO on Thursday that there was no casualties from the blast, which went off at around 11 p.m. the night before at the compound of Soler Isnain Undug in Basilan’s provincial capital of Isabela City.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing but Undug – who is employed by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Department of Public Works and Highways - said extortion was the motive behind the blast as the Abu Sayyaf had demanded P200,000 ($4,450) in cash from him just days before.

According to the police chief, the sound of a motorcycle had been heard before the powerful explosion, which damaged a steel cottage and Undug’s car.

Photographs from the crime scene showed a small crater and a partly damaged cottage floor.

Bomb investigators are still looking into the kind of explosive materials used in the attack.

Wednesday's bombing is the latest incident in Basilan amid recent explosions near gasoline stations, power lines and warehouses.

A businessman who declined to be named for security reasons told the Anadolu Agency that business establishments, plantation cooperatives, contractors and government offices in the area have been receiving extortion letters - signed by key Abu Sayyaf leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Furuji Indama and demanding monthly payments in exchange for protection from harassment.

"If establishments and businessmen here refuse to give in to the demands of the Abu Sayyaf, our properties are initially subjected to bomb attacks as warnings,” he added.

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