Director Felicisimo Khu, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (Dipo)-West chief, said the incident took place at about 5:45 p.m. at Mon’s Kitchenette at the corner of J. S. Alano and Valderosa streets in barangay Seaside, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan.

However, both police and military officials refused to conclude if it was a homemade bomb that exploded at the restaurant.

Supt. Allan Nazaro, Isabela City police chief, said the police are still waiting for the result of the post-blast investigation to determine what really exploded.

“Wala pa. Undetermined ang cause. Wala naman makita na component ng IED [improvised explosive device],” the Special Operation Task Force-Basilan (SOTF-B) commander, Col. Alex Macario, said.

However, Macario said an hour after the explosion that it was a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank that exploded, which was followed by a fire.

But the firefighters, who put out the blaze, found the restaurant’s LPG tanks intact.

Killed in the explosion were Aldizar Alonto, a former soldier, and Roger Calazo, a beggar.

Eleven of the 15 wounded were identified as Celina Guan, 57, the owner and cashier of the restaurant; Police Officer 1 Imran Alonto, 25; Alan Tajado, 43; Jovito Quizo, 56; Albert Alvarez, 23; Joe Kayle Rempejo, 15; Hansan Hassan, 65; Mateo Asidero, 48; Lawrence Diaz, eight; Gallo Danao, 23; and Jeron Santillan.

The Mon’s Kitchenette is usually full of customers at the end of the day since it is among the favorite restaurants of the local folk to dine and unwind.

The incident caused a brownout in the downtown area of Isabela City as a power transformer was damaged in the fire.