A local bomb squad expert checks the mortars said to be intended by lawless elements to bomb vulnerable targets in Zamboanga City
Combined elements of the military and the police have safely recovered on Thursday (May 22) two 60mm mortars, reportedly intended by lawless elements to bomb vulnerable targets in this city.
Police found the mortars placed inside a plastic bag abandoned along the roadside at Sitio Salum, Barangay San Roque here around 5:30 p.m.
Personnel of the bomb squad were immediately dispatched to the area to handle the explosives.
The PNP believes that the mortars were the missing parts police failed to find in a hideout during the arrest of suspected Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Abu Jomar last Saturday in Upper Calarian. The bomb components are to be used by lawless elements to conduct bombing activities in the city.
Elements responsible for the safe recovery of the explosives include MIG9, Zamboanga City Police Bomb Squad, Intel-Zamboanga City Police, Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Task Force Zamboanga, and R2.
The plan by lawless elements to bomb vital Zambo installations and vulnerable targets was earlier confirmed by Sr. Supt. Angelito Casimiro, Zamboanga City Police Acting Director.
Targets were earlier identified by police as gasoline stations, bars, and pubs.
Casimiro said that aside from bombing vulnerable areas in the city, lawless elements are reported to be targeting top city officials such as City Mayor Beng Climaco, and House Representatives Celso Lobregat and Lilia Nuno for possible assassination.
The arrest of suspected Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Nujir Ahidji alias Abu Jomar last Saturday in a Zamboanga village, however, was said to have disrupted plans by the group.
Although bomb components such as cellular phones, an improvised blasting cap, and cut wiring were said to have been recovered from the suspect, arresting officers reportedly failed to find up to six mortars to be used by the group to bomb certain targets in Zamboanga.
Last Thursday morning, operatives of the military and the police arrested another suspected Abu Sayyaf bomb expert in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
Najir Ajilul, alias Arab-Arab, was arrested by AFP and PNP elements after the former engaged the latter in a shootout in Barangay Tabayo, South Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.
Casimiro believes that the group operating in Zamboanga is part of a network operating in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, and Zamboanga del Norte areas.
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