Bomb attempt foiled in Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Authorities foiled today a possible bombing incident at a bus station in North Cotabato after a suspect was arrested before noon, local police said.

According to North Cotabato provincial police office, a suspect was caught after the police received information that a bomb would be transported to a bus station in the province's Midsayap town.

Checkpoints were put up in two villages in Midsayap and a police team was also deployed at a bus station where the lone suspect riding a motorcycle with an explosive device was supposed to go, police said.

The police said local authorities arrested the suspect who tried to flee when he arrived at Midsayap bus terminal. Upon verification, police found an improvised explosive device in a fruit box.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team defused the bomb, while the suspect is now under the police custody.