WESTMINCOM: Military foils ASG IED attack

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Oct 31, 2020): Military foils ASG IED attack

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- October 31, 2020

The WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. reported that the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu recovered an Improvised Explosive Device made by the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group bomb maker Mundi Sawadjaan on October 30, 2020.

“It can be recalled that Sawadjaan was behind the 2019 Jolo Cathedral Bombing,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan said.

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further said that at 4:30 p.m., Friday, the troops of the 1101st Infantry Brigade and the 100th Infantry Battalion acted on a report received from a concerned citizen of the presence of a suspicious object in their vicinity.

“The troops proceeded to the area in Barangay Timbangan, Indanan, Sulu to verify the report and upon confirmation, they immediately coordinated to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team for the proper disposal of the IED,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. stated that based on the report from the ground, the IED was wrapped with coconut leaves and it is composed of a mortar cartridge, 90RR projectile heat, five liters of Ammonium-Nitrate/Fuel-oil (ANFO), battery, and an improvised blasting cap.

Said IED was emplaced along the barangay road, which if exploded could hurt people within a 20-meter radius.

In a statement, JTF Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said, "The Abu Sayyaf Group is frustrated by the series of their losses that they resort to the most hideous form of violent extremism - bombing. They want to instill fear, but the bravery and courage of our troops are unsurpassable".

Meanwhile, 1101Bde Commander Col. Antonio Bautista said that on October 29, the 5th Special Forces Company mobilized the 7th CAA Company and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team to pursue around ten ASG members of the group under sub-leader Ellam Nasirin, an affiliate of Mundi Sawajaan.

A 30-minute firefight transpired that ended with the ASG members scampering away in different directions. Bloodstains were found on the encounter site, strongly indicating that some of the bandits got wounded during the encounter.

"We are continuously tracking the ASG, with the consolidated efforts of all units and the full support from the civilian populace who provide timely and accurate information of ASG's whereabouts and activities," Col. Bautista said.

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