Troops foil Abu Sayyaf bombing plot in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government forces foiled another roadside bombing attempt of the Abu Sayyaf group after a powerful improvised bomb was recovered Thursday afternoon along the road in a village of Patikul town, Sulu, according to security official.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the recovery of the bomb came barely hours when a convoy of Marine forces hit an improvised explosive device (IED) Thursday morning along the road in Barangay Lagtoh, Talipao town.

At least seven Marines were injured from the blast staged by 20 Abu Sayyaf members.

Arrojado said five of the suspects were identified as Amrin Absara, Abral Alih a certain Asaral, all under senior Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron; Tala Jumsah under sub-leader Amah Maas; and Jumidin Wali, under the leadership of Hajan Sawadjaan.

According to Arrojado, the latest recovery of the IED came following a tip from the informant of the 32nd Infantry Battalion. It was reported that a bomb was sighted 200 meters away from an abandoned detachment at Sitio Bulabog, Kilometer 20, Barangay Bonbon in Patikul town.

He said the troops immediately scoured and recovered the IED fashioned through two rounds of 81mm mortar ammunitions with 20 meters flat cord wire inside a shallow hole along the road.

“The IED is believed to have been kept while waiting an opportunity for its use,” Arrojado said.

The military believed the Abu Sayyaf group was engaging the government forces in bombing as part of its guerilla tactic.