AN Aspin (Asong Pinoy)  of the Coast Guard’s K9 team along with joint elements of the Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police  foiled a Basilan blast in what authorities believed could be a plot to sow terror in the province  even as authorities are blaming the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group as behind the bomb explosion that severely damaged a lodging house in Lamitan City Saturday night, Tonight gathered yesterday.

The Lamitan blast and the recovery of improvised bomb explosives in Basilan has prompted the Coast Guard to tighten security in Mindanao ports.

Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo disclosed that  he has already  ordered heightened vigilance by his units in major ports and tourist areas nationwide especially in preparation for the expected Holy Week exodus.

“Directive ko sa Coast Guard, lalo paigtingin ang vigilance, security at preparedness lalo sa major ports at tourist areas ,” Tamayo said over the state owned radio station  .

He said added K-9 units have been deployed to major ports to detect explosives, along with drugs and other contraband.

“Lahat ’yan may PCG nagpapatrolya (All ports have Coast Guard patrols),” he said.

Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said no casualty was reported in the explosion although the affected lodging house reportedly collapsed.

“Baka after sumabog ay dahan-dahang nag-totally collapse ’yong house kaya nakatakbo ang mga tao sa loob (Perhaps the boarding house collapsed slowly after the explosion, and the people inside had time to flee the area),” he said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the Lamitan bomb attack, but Lt. Col. Randolph  Cabangbang, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said police are currently investigating the bombing.

Minutes after the explosion, an improvised bomb was found near a hotel in Isabela City, also in Basilan.