Troops recover improvised bombs, foil ASG bomb plot

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 23, 2021): Troops recover improvised bombs, foil ASG bomb plot (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Google map of Barangay Cambug, Al-Barka, Basilan.

Government troops thwarted an attempt by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits to detonate bombs in the province of Basilan, military officials said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said this came after composite troops recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while on a special operation in Barangay Cambug, Al-Barka, Basilan at about 10 a.m. on Thursday.

“This (recovery) is attributed to our intensified offensives and intelligence monitoring, and the strengthened collaboration with our partner agencies and stakeholders,” Vinluan said.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the recovered items included bomb-making materials, such as ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

Gobway said the IEDs were assembled by followers of slain Basilan-based ASG leader Furuji Indama.

The recovered IEDs were transported to Barangay Calugusan, Lamitan City and placed under the custody of the 39th Explosive Ordnance Demolition Team for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, Vinluan urged Basilan residents to remain vigilant and “immediately report any suspicious person or things in your locality.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137771