THE police stopped a bombing attempt and arrested three suspected bombers in Lamitan City, Basilan province, an official said.

Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo, Lamitan City police chief, said the bombing attempt was foiled following the arrest of a bomb-courier in the vicinity of the police headquarters on Sunday, April 24.

Gallardo identified the bomb-courier as Joan Insuh, 27, a resident of Pamaran Street in the village of Malakas, Lamitan City. An improvised explosive device (IED) was seized from her possession.

Gallardo said Insuh was arrested around 6 p.m., Sunday, after they received information that an IED will be planted at the police headquarters.

Gallardo said he immediately sent two police teams to the village of Sengal, Lamitan City after Insuh revealed who are the bomb-makers that resulted to the arrest of two other suspects.

The other suspects were identified as Asis Pingli, 28 and Roel Balagtas, who were caught in the act of making an IED.

He said the arresting team recovered three blasting caps, IED-making tools, plastic container, and cellphones with wires connected with mother board.