Troops thwart Abu Sayyaf’s bombing plot in Lamitan City

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 3): Troops thwart Abu Sayyaf’s bombing plot in Lamitan City

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan -- Government forces have thwarted a bombing plot of the Abu Sayyaf’s Urban Terrorist Group (UTG) in this city, military official disclosed Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Glen Villaflor, Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion commander, said this came about after the troops have recovered bomb-making materials following a five-minute clash with UTG members.

Villaflor said the troops from the 19th Special Forces Company led by Capt. Geralfredo Andal clashed with four UTG members led by Edris Sampang while on security patrol around 3 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Kulay Bato, this city.

Villaflor added that the security patrol was in reaction to intelligence report that the UTG of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is planning to carry out bombing mission.

Villaflor said the clash ensued as the troops were able to locate Sampang’s hideout in Barangay Kula Bato.

He said Sampang’s group fled towards Barangay Bulanting, this city.

He said the troops have recovered from Sampang’s hideout the following: one grenade; one soldiering iron; a long nose plier; two toggle switch; soldering lead; diodes; wires, and, paraphernalia.

He disclosed that Sampang’s group operates in this city and in nearby municipalities of Tuburan and Akbar.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=740749