Blast rocks Masbate City port

An explosion jolted the port of Masbate City when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the dock on Wednesday evening.

9th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Joash Pramis said that the explosive was attached to a pipe near the dock outside the port itself, but was within the area where boats, including one from the Philippine Coast Guard, were anchored.

No one was reported hurt in the blast as it occurred late at night and where there were no people around.

Authorities considered the incident as "nuisance" as there seemed to be no clear target for it.

"Parang ang tinitingnan nila dun is parang nuisance ano lang yun, atrocity just for the purpose na ma-project lang na may gulo. Kasi yung pagkakalatag daw nung bomb is hindi naman sa Masbate Port mismo but dun sa dinadaungan nung mga maliliit na bangka, and isa lang sa malapit na nakadaong dun is yung bangka ata yun ng coast guard," he said.

"So as to the target kung sino, is parang wala namang target kasi pagsabog is gabi at walang tao pinasabog yung bomba," he added.

Authorities will continue their investigations to identify the suspects and their motives. —Jessica Bartolome/LBG, GMA News