2 explosions rock Basilan, situation under control - Lamitan PNP

At least two explosions rocked Lamitan town in Basilan Thursday night, even as police authorities said no one was reported hurt in the blasts. "So far ngayon under control. Normal ang situation sa Lamitan City. Ginagawa namin [the Philippine National Police and the armed forces] checkpoint patrols, joint opoerations ," said Lamitan City police head Chief Inspector Almer Ismael in an interview on dzBB radio. The dzBB report said the two explosions occurred almost simultaneously at about 9 p.m. The first occurred in front of the house of Vice Mayor Arleigh Eisma at Barangay Maganda, while the second occurred near San Isidro Chapel. "After the incident the same pa rin, conduct ng joint operation checkpoint sa area," Ismael said. As of posting time, authorites would not say whether the explosions were acts of terror, part of some criminal activity or if it was connected to local politics. The province has, in the past few days, seen fighting betweem the armed forces and the Abu Sayyaf Group. Last Monday, the armed forces claimed to have killed eight ASG members during an offensive in Basilan. On Wednesday, the military halted its operation against the ASG as the latter's fighters “mingled” with civilians in areas recognized as Moro Islamic Liberation Front territory. — DVM, GMA News