Troops foil bomb plot in Jolo cemetery

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government troops foiled a bombing attack after an improvised bomb was discovered Saturday planted in a cemetery in Jolo, Sulu, according to a security official.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said elements of the K9 unit and Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) of the 2nd Marine Brigade conducted paneling at Mt. Carmel Cemetery when they discovered about 7 a.m. the improvised explosive device (IED).

He said the bomb was placed inside a bag with 10-liter plastic container.

The marine EOD disrupted the IED, which contained ammonium nitrate with cellphone as detonator.

The remnants of the bomb were brought to the military headquarters for further probing, according to Arrojado.

He said the government troops have conducted security operations in public places, including cemeteries following intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf group threatened to conduct bombing in public areas.

Arrojado said many civilians are expected to visit cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ day on November 1 and 2, respectively.