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 month, 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. (Jorge Hallare/PNA)
