Philippine authorities foil Sayyaf plot to spring bombers in Zamboanga City prison

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 19): Philippine authorities foil Sayyaf plot to spring bombers in Zamboanga City prison

A daring plot to spring Abu Sayyaf rebels from a prison in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines was foiled late Monday by jail guards, officials said.

Officials said heavily-armed troops and police commandos were also called in to help secure the prison and boats have been dispatched to patrol the coastline in case rebels pursue with their plan to free at least 3 notorious Abu Sayyaf bombers.

Jail authorities said a .45-caliber pistol, 16 magazines loaded with bullets and a hand grenade - concealed in several clay stoves - were smuggled inside the prison by female visitors.

The weapons were only discovered after guards grew suspicious over the stoves requested by the prisoners. The stoves were quickly recovered before prisoners get hold of it.

Police were also tracking down the visitors who delivered the stoves.

Officials said the plot was traced to Puruji Indama, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf operating in nearby province of Basilan, who wanted to spring his brother Bensar Indama and two other bombers Jamil Ajijul and Imran Napi from the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center.

Local village officials now want all Abu Sayyaf prisoners transferred to a bigger and tightly-guarded prison facility Camp Bagong Diwa just outside Manila where other high-profile rebels and criminals are being held.

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20150119093301