Normalcy has been restored in Basilan following bloody attacks in its capital on Tuesday but security officials remain wary of future attacks as they deployed 300 more troopers and imposed naval blockade while elite soldiers combed the jungles of the province to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf perpetrators.

Lieutenant General Ben Mohammad Dolorfino, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), said they have alsoplaced all his men in Western Mindanao in highest security alert status to prevent spillover of attacks in nearby provinces.

“We are on alert since that incident happened, we have also implemented some security adjustments to ensure the safety of civilians,” said Dolorfino.

The official said a company of the Army's elite 4th Scout Ranger Company, another 100 personnel of the US-trained anti-terror unit Light Reaction Company, and another company of Marine commandos were infused in Basilan since Wednesday. A company has more or less 100 soldiers.

“So more or less, the number of military troops in Isabela City alone, is around two battalions (more or less 1,000 soldiers), combined troops of the Marines and the Army," said Dolorfino.

Marines Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said several military vessels have started to conduct blockades around Basilan, checking on all sea vessels going in and out of the troubled island province.

“We are checking on suspicious-moving vessels, bancas or boats in the area... our point here is to make sure or at least prevent any reinforcement for the perpetrators or to prevent them from leaving Basilan," said Arevalo.

"But at this point, we can say that normalcy has been restored in Isabela City and downtown areas in Basilan," he stressed.

On Tuesday, at least 25 gunmen believed to be members of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group planted bombs and engaged security forces in gun battles. The explosions and ensuing gunfights resulted in the death of 14 people and the wounding of 15 others.

The participation of the ASG in the attacks were confirmed with the identification of Bensar Indama as among the fatalities when a bomb they planted in a vehicle prematurely exploded in front of the Basilan National High School. Bensar is the brother of Furuji Indama, the highest ASG commander in Basilan.

Dolorfino said among the security adjustments they implemented is the checking of all people passing by the checkpoints, including uniformed policemen and soldiers.

"Those manning the checkpoints were instructed to check on the identification cards of uniformed personnel," said Dolorfino.

The official said the move is aimed at thwarting furhter attacks after the investigation they conducted revealed that those responsible on Tuesday attacks are clad in police and military uniforms.

"We are doing this because the Abu Sayyaf attackers are even sporting military haircut. So it was really a well-planned attack, they disguised policemen and soldiers," said Dolorfino.

He added that members of the Basilan Police, for their part, are no using countersign in order to distinguish who are bogus policemen and who are legitimate members of the Philippine National Police.