Troopers foil Basilan bomb attack

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines – Government security forces intercepted three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pukan town in this province on Friday. 

Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, chief of the Joint Task Group Basilan (JTGB), said the bombs were intercepted at a checkpoint in Barangay Bohe Suyah at past 5 a.m.

He said the IEDs, fashioned from three liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks, were found in a multi-cab.

Soldiers belonging to the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion became suspicious when the driver of the multi-cab ran away and left his vehicle at the checkpoint.

The soldiers were compelled to temporarily close the highway to traffic.

Bautista said pursuing troops clashed with a group of bandits believed to be escorting the bombs.