ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Abu Sayyaf bandits tried but failed to destroy a newly completed bridge by way of setting off an improvised bomb in a remote barangay of Basilan province, the military reported.
The Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade reported that the bomb incident took place around 3 o’clock in the morning, Wednesday, in the boundaries of Barangay Candiis and Pamatsaken, Sumisip, Basilan.
However, the 101st Infantry Brigade said that the Abu Sayyaf bandits failed to destroy the bridge as the improvised explosive device (IED) they set off only caused minor damage to the concrete structure.
The 101st Infantry Brigade added that the perpetrators was led by Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader Pasil Bayali.
The newly completed bridge links the barangays of Candiis and Pamatsaken and provide easy access in transporting farm produce to the market.
The 101st Infantry Brigade said that the possible motive of the incident was extortion as Engr. Rujin Arai of the construction firm that built the bridge reported they received a letter from the Abu Sayyaf bandits demanding the payment of protection money. – Nikolai Gonzalo
