Islamic State’s claim over Basilan clash mere propaganda —Wesmincom

From GMA News (Apr 14): Islamic State’s claim over Basilan clash mere propaganda —Wesmincom

The Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday downplayed international terrorist group Islamic State’s claim of detonating explosives on seven trucks carrying soldiers in Basilan.

Wesmincom spokesperson Filemon Tan refuted the group's statement, saying it is mere propaganda, a report by Raffy Tima on GMA News TV's News To Go said.

Tan stressed that the damaging of army vehicles is not that big contrary to Islamic State's claim.

However, Tan confirmed that there were improvised explosive devices which detonated.

Vehicles were only lightly damaged by shrapnel and bullets.

As of posting time, authorities are questioning the authenticity of the statement published by Reuters.

In the statement, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the clash between militants linked to the group and Philippine soldiers last Saturday in Basilan.

Eighteen soldiers died during the encounter. Meanwhile, Wesmincom confirmed that there are already 31 fatalities on the Abu Sayyaf Group side in the continued clash between the army and the rebel group.

 The AFP has yet to conduct a formal investigation on the clash due to their continued operation against the rebel group.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/562657/news/nation/islamic-state-s-claim-over-basilan-clash-mere-propaganda-wesmincom