ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A powerful explosion rocked a gasoline station in Lamitan City, Basilan province on Tuesday evening, June 18, the same day the city was celebrating its 17th founding anniversary.
A loud blast was heard from the gas station owned by the Mateo family in Barangay Matibay at 6:47 p.m.
A male victim, Alwadun Asnain, was injured while he was passing by the gas station.
Lawmen said the cover of a fuel dispenser was damaged due to the blast.
Police recovered parts of an improvised explosive device such as blasting caps and a nine-volt battery.
Prior to the explosion, the owners reported receiving extortion letters from still unidentified sources.
Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman condemned the incident and Lamitan Mayor Oric Furigay appealed for calm and vigilance.
Furigay delivered his State-of-the-City Report in the morning while the Lamitan city government was holding its Employees Night to honor outstanding city government employees when the explosion occured.