A white van carrying explosives was asked to stop at the Magkawit detachment, a security checkpoint situated at the converging boundaries of barangays Bulanting, Colonia, and Maganda[1][2] in Lamitan, Basilan mainly manned by the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

[6] The Armed Forces of the Philippines are skeptical of ISIS' claims and points out that the identity of the driver whose corpse was left in a bad state is yet to be identified.

[6] The Philippine military considers the Abu Sayyaf as its primary suspects for the bombing incident[8] saying it has received "persistent reports" that the group was responsible for the attack.

[9] Since August 1, 2018, text messages began to circulate alleging Abu Sayaff militant, Fathy "Mike" Lijal, an ethnic Yakan to be behind the bombing.

The Western Mindanao Command of the military and the Philippine National Police are looking into the faction Lijal is part of and is confident that he has support from sources abroad.

[9] On July 30, 2018, prior to the incident the military received information that eight Abu Sayyaf militants led by Lijal were sighted in Barangay Languyan in the town of Mohammad Ajul.

[10] City officials suspects that the driver of the van planned to bomb a parade of at least 2,000 school children and teachers commemorating the national nutrition month.