Heightened security after Basilan blast

MANILA — The government on Wednesday ordered all its agencies concerned to heighten security in airports, seaports and road transport terminals following a bombing incident in its restive south which left 11 people dead.

An improvised bomb inside a white van exploded near a military checkpoint in Lamitan City, Basilan on Tuesday, killing 11 people and hurting five others including a woman and a child.

“We should not compromise nor take for granted the safety and security in our surroundings, people and facilities,” he said.

Undersecretary Art Evangelista, administrator of the Office for Transportation Security, said he directed all transport security personnel to "enhance their current security measures."

The Philippine Coast Guard, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine National Railways said they had beefed up their security measures and protocols in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, meanwhile, urged the public to cooperate with the implementation of security measures, checkpoints and inspections in all transportation terminals.

The country's armed forces said it believed the Abu Sayyaf group was behind the attack.

Speaking on ANC television, Lt. Col. Mon Almodovar, commander of AFP's 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, said they were still verifying reports if there was a foreigner involved and if it was done by a suicide bomber.

Basilan, a province in Mindanao, is a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf group notorious for its banditry and kidnapfor-ransom operations.