The 4,000 children who were attending a feeding program were the original targets of the Lamitan blast that killed 10 people and wounded 8 on July 31, authorities said on Friday.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed that the bomb-rigged van was supposed to explode at the plaza where the children were expected to gather.
However, the van failed to reach its target location when it broke down at Magwakit Detachment in Brgy. Colonia, Lamitan, Basilan.
Lorenzana said members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) even helped in pushing the van to jumpstart it when one of them noticed the wires and IED components inside the vehicle.
It was when the CAFGU called for backup from the scout rangers who were two Kilometers away from the Magwakit Detachment.
As the scout rangers were approaching, the driver, who authorities believe was Moroccan, panicked and detonated the bomb for fear of being arrested. — Lea Ylagan
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