Troops foil Jolo bomb try

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military confirmed yesterday that government security forces foiled an attempt by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits to launch bombings in Sulu, following the recent recovery of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Jolo. 

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of Joint Task Group Sulu, said the IED was recovered shortly before midnight on Jan. 16, but was not immediately reported pending military operations to track down the suspects.

Arrojado said the bomb was placed in a bag abandoned at an entertainment bar owned by retired Senior Police Officer 4 Julkaida Jalani in Barangay San Raymundo.

He said the Army’s explosives, ordnance and disposal team backed by the police Special Action Force bomb squad detonated the IED.

Authorities believe the bomb was part of the bandit group’s scheme to divert the military offensives launched against its factions in the jungles of Indanan, Kalinggalang Kaluang and Panamao.