Lodging house collapses as bomb blast rocks Basilan

Sunday, April 10, 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An improvised bomb exploded and destroyed a lodging house in the island province of Basilan, south of this city, officials said.

The incident took place around 7:10 p.m. Saturday at Spasky's Lodging House owned by businessman Jose Tejada in Barangay Maligaya, Lamitan City, said Basilan Police Director Alex Linesis.

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Linesis said the lodging house, which was made of light materials, collapsed due to the impact of the improvised bomb explosion.

"As a result, the lodging house which was made of light materials totally fell down to the ground," he said in a text message.

He said they have yet to determine the casualties of the explosion, citing the case is still under investigation.

Western Mindanao Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the military, police and Lamitan City government personnel are conducting rescue operation since it was not yet known as to how many occupants are there when the explosion happened.

According to initial investigation, two male persons checked in at room 200 at the Spasky's Lodging House's ground floor around 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The two male persons were noticed to be carrying a green plastic bag with unknown content, Linesis said.

He said the two left the lodging house after they paid the room rental. The explosion occurred minutes later.

The two were described to be 18 to 21 years old. One of them is five-feet and four inches in height, while the other stood five-feet and five inches tall, Linesis said. (Sunnex)