MASBATE PORT EXPLOSION. Two rescue speedboats of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard were damaged when an improvised explosive device exploded at around 12:30 a.m. Monday (September 3, 2018). (Photo courtesy of PNP-PIO V)
LEGAZPI CITY -- Two rescue speedboats of the Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard were damaged when an improvised explosive device, set up by still unidentified suspects near the Coast Guard office, exploded at the Masbate City Port in Bapor Village, Masbate City, Masbate Monday morning.
Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol) said no injury was reported.
At around 12:30 a.m. Monday, a loud explosion from the port area was heard by residents in the village, she added.
This was the second time an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the port area of Masbate City. Last August 2, an IED also exploded in the area and damaged two motor boats owned by fishermen.
Masbate City Police headed by Chief of Police Supt. Paul Cabug immediately went to the area to probe the incident.
Police discovered that the Army's 25-footer rescue speedboat made of fiber glass and Coast Guard's 25 footer rescue aluminum speedboat and their engines were partially damaged by the explosion.
The speedboats were anchored just near the coast guard station at Masbate's port area.
Recovered from the blast were orange PVC pipes, which are believed to be part of the IED, and scattered parts of the speedboats.
Calubaquib said police probers are conducting an in-depth investigation into the explosion and the motive of the suspects.
NPA eyed behind blast
Army Capt. Joash Pramis, Army’s Infantry Division public affairs chief said in a phone interview on Monday that security measures would have to be stepped up following the explosion.
“Security efforts would be heightened in close coordination with other government units to preempt and prevent similar incident to take place in the future,” Pramis said.
Pramis said initial investigation showed the explosion could be connected to the first incident last August 2 since the same type of IED was planted at the port, causing damage to the vessels.
Pramis believed that members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were responsible for the planting of the IED to sow fear and also as a retaliatory tactic against government forces.
"I am putting the blame on the NPA since they are the only group that uses improvised explosive devices in their initiated attacks on government facilities and personnel," Pramis said.
He said the NPA operating in the island-province recently carried out a series of attacks by planting IEDs and initiating ambuscades that claimed the lives of a number of policemen, soldiers and civilians. (PNA)
