IMPROVISED BOMB. A member of the Army's 39th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team disassembles an improvised explosive device (IED) the troops discovered Thursday (Sept. 8, 2022) inside an old school in Barangay Parangbasak, Lamitan City, Basilan. The IED and bomb-making components are believed owned by Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group bandits. (Photo courtesy of 101IB)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops have discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and bomb-making components believed to be owned by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits in a remote area in Lamitan City, Basilan, a top military official said Friday.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the war matériel were found inside a bag around 5:45 a.m. Thursday at an old school in Barangay Parangbasak.
“The troops were conducting an operation targeting the lawless Saddam Siddick Group when they discovered the items,” Gobway said in a statement.
The Siddick group has ties with the Basilan-based ASG bandits, he said.
Personnel of the 39th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team retrieved the IED and other components for proper disposition.
The discovery of the explosives came two days after government troops recovered explosive materials at the hideout of Tawakal Bayali and a certain Abu Mudzfal in Barangay Serongong, Mohammad Ajul, Basilan.
Bayali and Mudzfal are followers of Basilan-based ASG sub-leader Pasil Bayali alias Abu Kera.
On May 30 this year, two people were injured when two IEDs planted by the ASG bandits exploded in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province. (PNA)
