Troops foil bomb attempt in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government security forces intercepted a public utility jeepney in the downtown of Lamitan, Basilan and recovered what was described to be a powerful improvised bomb shortly before lunch on Friday.

The police said two suspects were also invited for questioning by the apprehending Army Scout Rangers. 

Lamitan City Police Chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the bomb was discovered by the alerted members of the army rangers aboard the jeep in Oval near the commercial district of Lamitan about 12:30 p.m. The jeep had just arrived from Al-Barka town.

The military troopers immediately conducted search and discovered the bomb placed inside a medium carton box concealed by okra.

The police said the bomb was composed of 2 kilos of ammonium nitrate, half a kilo of common nails and a bottle of fuel gasoline as incendiary.

Names of the apprehended suspects were not released pending the investigation. 

The police could not say yet if the discovery of the bomb could be part of the bombing attack of the Abu Sayyaf group to divert the attention of the government forces running after the group in the mountains of Basilan.