DAVAO CITY — Troopers of the 18th Infantry Battalion discovered several explosive and bomb components during an operation in Basilan on Thursday, September 8 at Sitio Panandakan, Barangay Parangbasak, Lamitan City, in the provbinc eof Basilan.
Troopers recovered a bag containing various Improvised Explosive Device/Anti-Personnel Mine (IED/APM) components inside an old school at Sitio Panandakan at around 5:45 a.m., on Thursday.
According to Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, the troops were conducting a strike operation targeting the lawless Saddam Siddick Group when they discovered the items.
Elements of the 39th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team immediately recovered the explosive components for assessment and proper disposition.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report to authorities any suspicious item or person in their vicinity to prevent lawless elements from sowing terror in the communities.
“Nevertheless, we continuously intensify our campaign to bring about the defeat of all terror and lawless groups in our area of operation,” Lt.Gen. Rosario, Jr. stated.
