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The military assured the public that there will be no escalation of violence after last Saturday's bombing of a hostel in Lamitan City, Basilan province.

The Spasky's Lodging House, owned by businessman Jose Tejada along Flores Street, Barangay Maligaya, was in total wreck when a powerful bomb exploded in one of its rooms at the ground floor around 7:10 p.m. Saturday.

Lt. Col. Gamal Hayudini, chief of the 4th Civil Relations Group (CRG), said Monday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in control of the situation.

Hayudini said the AFP is exerting efforts to determine the motive of the incident and “sooner or later we can resolve and identify the perpetrators.”

“The residents from the nearby towns and city (of Isabela) in Basilan province can be assured that the AFP is doing everything to protect the civilians in the area from the lawless group,” Hayudini added.

Patrolling troops from the 15th Special Forces Company have detonated another improvised bomb which was found more than two hours after last Saturday's explosion.

The bomb placed inside a shoulder bag was left in front of an ice plant located 10 meters away from the Sofia Hotel and a gasoline station.

Another improvised bomb was recovered by the troops from the Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion in front of the Lamitan Central School along Quezon Boulevard, Lamitan City.

The bomb was safely defused by the Army's Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) personnel stationed in Basilan province.

Hayudini said extortion is most likely the motive of the bombing and the Abu Sayyaf militants are eyed as behind the incident targeting hotels and gasoline stations.

He said the bombing could be retaliation to the ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan and Sulu provinces.

Government forces are continuously tracking down the Abu Sayyaf bandits who are still holding captive Filipino-Chinese businessman Largio Tam delos Santos, who was kidnapped last December. - PNA

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