At least six people were killed in a bomb attack in the early hours of 31 July in Basilan, an island province in southern Philippines, according to international media.

Basilan where the bomb attack occurs (Source: Google Maps)

Local authorities said a car exploded at 6.00 am (local time) when it was undergoing security check at a check point in a village in Lamitan city.

No organisation has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast. However, the Philippine army believed the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is behind the incident.

Abu Sayyaf is a small, violent group that operates in the western fringes of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and on the Sulu islands extending from Mindanao. They are notorious for carrying out bombings in southern Philippines.

The group has pledged allegiance to the self-claimed Islamic State and has carried out kidnappings for ransom of both foreigners and Filipinos.

(Source: VNA)