Scout Rangers in Basilan foil Abu Sayyaf bomb plot

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Security forces foiled an attempt suspected by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf to detonate a powerful bomb after it was recovered Wednesday afternoon in a village of Lamitan City, Basilan province.

The police said elements of the 14th Scout Ranger Company tracked down the improvised explosive device, or IED, in Barangay Sabong about 4 p.m. guided by intelligence information information on an impending attack by the group.

Lamitan police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said personnel of explosive ordnance disposal were deployed and successfully defused the explosive.

The recovered IED was fashioned through a liquefied petroleum gas tank, a mortar ammunition, blasting cap, nails and ammonium nitrate which was described to be powerful and deadly.

Investigation further reveals the bomb was laid by a certain Erik Ajibon, a suspected Abu Sayyaf member under sub-leader Nurhassan Jamiri.

Gallardo said security have been intensified in Lamitan and nearby areas due to the bomb threats of the Abu Sayyaf group.