ZAMBOANGA CITY — Security forces have foiled an attempt of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to conduct bombings in Basilan province, officials said Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said soldiers seized six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) following a clash with ASG bandits shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Calang Canas, Maluso, Basilan.
Reyeg said the clash broke out after the troops chanced upon 15 ASG bandits while “acting on a report received from a reliable source regarding the plan of Furuji Indama’s group to create havoc in our area of operation”.
The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes before the ASG bandits, led by Indama, “withdrew bringing along their casualties with them,” the Army official said.
Reyeg said soldiers belonging to Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion backed by K9 units recovered six IEDs “about to be laid along the Basilan circumferential road” while they were scouring the clash site.
He added that bloodstains were also noticed in the area.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the troops are still tracking the ASG bandits as of Wednesday while the recovered IEDS were turned over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team for disposition.
“The successful recovery of the IEDs is attributed to the concerned citizen who provided the information, to the local government units of Basilan, and to our gallant soldiers who are always steadfast in accomplishing their mission,” Sobejana said. (PNA)
