Abu Sayyaf tagged in Lamitan City blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Police have tagged the Abu Sayyaf in an explosion in the bustling new city of Lamitan in Basilan Tuesday night.

The explosion ripped through the Lamitan proper at around 8:40 p.m., wounding a civilian.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, Basilan police director, quoted witnesses as saying that two men on board a motorcycle were forced to abandon the improvised explosive device a few meters away from the house of Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay along Flores street due to heavy security.

Mendoza said investigation is underway to determine the target of the attack, adding though that three days ago, the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Puruji Indama was monitored to be planning to conduct kidnapping and bombing in Lamitan.

“While the two bombers were not immediately identified as they managed to escape using the dark alley, we have reason to believe that Puruji Indama and his group could be behind the attack because of their earlier plot to conduct atrocities,” Mendoza said.

Furigay, according to Mendoza, disclosed that Indama’s group has slipped into the city to sow violence.

Mendoza said analysis by military and police ordnance experts showed that the improvised explosive devise used in the attack bore the trademark and signature of the Abu Sayyaf.

He said security in urban areas in Basilan has been intensified to preempt similar attacks, while government forces have launched an offensive against the militants behind the bombings and kidnappings in the province.

Mendoza said the barangay peace action team and barangay intelligence network have also been activated.