ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A suspected bomber was killed when the bomb he was carrying prematurely exploded Tuesday afternoon in a village of Lamitan City, Basilan province, according to police and local officials.
The police said the slain suspect, riding a motorcycle, was heading toward Isabela City when the improvised explosive device (IED) went off about 3:40 p.m. along the highway in Barangay Balagtasan, a bordering village of Lamitan City.
Lamitan City vice mayor Roderick Furigay said responding police investigators disclosed the bomb was concealed in a bag carried by the suspect when it exploded.
“The bomb was carried by the suspect who was driving a motorcycle. We don’t know what the motive of the supposed bombing was,†Furigay said the slain suspect was only known through an alias and carried no identifying documents.