Explosions in succession in southern Philippines' Isabela City have left 15 dead, including five suspects, and 13 civilians injured Tuesday morning, according to police and military.

A bomb was found in front of the house of Judge Leo Jay Principe in Sunrise Village near the City Hall. It was immediately detonated by the police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) elements led by Jose Bayani Gucela, regional police EOD commander.

Gucela, who is the spokesman of the Regional Police Office (PRO) , said the first explosion occurred inside a private van at 10:30 a.m..

Investigation disclosed that the van was chased by the marines and police after it refused to stop at a checkpoint.

Three marines and a policeman were killed but the bomb inside the van prematurely exploded, killing five suspects.

Three were instantly killed in the van while the two others died while undergoing treatment.

One of those killed suspects was charred beyond recognition from the smoldering van after it was obliterated by the powerful explosion.

Antonio Mendoza, Basilan police provincial chief, said that 30 minutes later another bomb exploded behind the Sta. Isabel Cathedral in downtown of this city.

Mendoza said the improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a motorcycle parked in the parking area beside the church.

The powerful explosion shuttered the windows of the church and destroyed its office.

Glass walls and windows from several nearby establishments smashed with slivers of broken glass littering the main streets.

A businesswoman, who asked not to be named, said they had closed the shop after the first explosion when they were shocked by another blast beside the church.

"It was so loud. Thick smoke billowed over and followed by fire. We heard falling of glass silvers from several establishments near our business center," said the businesswoman.

Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar said 15 have been confirmed killed in the spate of bombings and they are five suspects, three marines, a policemen and 6 civilians.

Akbar said the 13 injured civilians were brought to different hospitals and were declared in stable condition.

Akbar confirmed three of the suspects were also captured by the pursuing government forces and were now under the custody.

She said the police and military forces were directed to pursue the perpetrators responsible for the attacks.

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