Four killed in vice mayor’s convoy blast

A bomb exploded in Isabela City, Basilan of southern Philippines Thursday, hitting a convoy of a local city official that initially left 3 people killed, according to police.

The blast reportedly targeted the city vice mayor, Abdulbaki Ajibon.

Initial investigation showed that the explosion ripped through the convoy of Ajibon as it was passing in front of the residence of Isabela City Mayor Cherry Akbar at Sunrise Village.

Navy Commander Roy Vincent Trinidad, chief of staff of the Naval Forces in Western Mindanao, said the explosion transpired around 1:01 p.m. and was caused by an improvised explosive device.

The vice mayor came from the city hall and was apparently going to a meeting with the mayor, police said.

The impact of the explosion instantly killed the three security escorts of Ajibon, said Trinidad, adding that five other people were injured.

It was not immediately clear who was the target.

Police said the bomb was placed inside the tool box of the motorcycle which was parked near the house of Akbar, whose husband, Basilan Congressman Wahab Akbar, was killed in a 2007 motorcycle bomb attack outside the House of Representatives in Manila. The victims were brought to nearby hospitals for treatment.