Map of Tipo-tipo
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops foiled a roadside bomb attack as they recovered three improvised explosives in Basilan province on Saturday, a top military official said.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan commander, said the improvised bombs were recovered in Sitio Limbu Urot, Barangay Tipo-Tipo proper, Tipo-Tipo town at around 5 am.
Gobway said the troops were on an intelligence-driven operation when they recovered the improvised bombs based on information received from concerned residents.
“Personnel of the 39th Explosive Ordnance Demolition team render safe procedure detonating the improvised bombs in place,” he said in a text message.
He said the main charge of the improvised bombs was ammonium nitrate fuel oil packed in three bottles rigged with two-inch nails as shrapnels, a blasting cap as a detonator, and two eight-inch steel tubes.
Gobway ordered intensified security patrols to prevent attacks on troops and civilians through roadside bombing.
He did not say whether the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were behind the bombing attempt in Tipo-Tipo.
The three improvised explosives were recovered five days after two bombs blew up and injured two persons on May 30 in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.
The first exploded at the parking lot of a food chain outlet just across the provincial capitol compound in downtown Isabela City while the second was at the motor pool of D’Biel Transport Company along Valderosa Street, Barangay La Piedad in the same city.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the ASG bandits were behind the May 30 twin bombings.
Lt. Col. Junpikar Sitin, Isabela City police chief, earlier said the remnants of the ASG based in Tipo-Tipo were behind the twin bombings. (PNA)
