Bomb explodes in front of church in Basilan

A bomb rigged to a multicab exploded in front of the Evangelical Church in Lamitan City, Friday night.

A report by the Lamitan City Police Station said the explosion happened at around 9:30 p.m. in front of the Evangelical Church along Flores street in Barangay Maligaya.

Senior Inspector Gean Gallarcdo of the Lamitan City Police Station led a team of responders and cordoned off the area, the report said.

There were no injuries reported.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told radio dzBB on Saturday morning that the bombing could have been carried out by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Padilla added that the bombing could be part of a diversionary tactic of the bandit group.

The military and the police have intensified operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group following the beheading of Canadian captive John Ridsdel in Basilan, early this week.

Two motorcycle-riding men threw the Canadian's head in front of the Jolo municipal hall on Monday night.

Rescue efforts for the remaining captives of the bandit group are ongoing. —ALG, GMA News