BASILAN – A roadside explosion injured a soldier and a civilian in Basilan province in the troubled Muslim autonomous region in the South.
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| A military photo shows components for the manufacture of improvised explosives recovered by soldiers in Basilan province. |
Vinluan said a group of soldiers were patrolling the village when an improvised explosive went off. “A roadside IED exploded which resulted in the wounding of one of our valiant soldiers and one civilian,” he said, adding, the injured were immediately given first aid and evacuated to hospital in Lamitan town and are both in stable condition now.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Vinluan blamed the attack on the Abu Sayyaf group, whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
The Abu Sayyaf is actively operating in the province, just several nautical miles south of here.
Vinluan branded the attack as “horrendous act” and condemned the bombing. “We are utilizing all available resources to prevent the lawless elements from wreaking havoc in the peaceful communities and victimizing our soldiers and the innocent civilians,” he said.
“The Abu Sayyaf group tends to conduct desperate attacks since their weakened manpower and capability can no longer withstand the military’s all-out offensives. They engage in inhumane attacks to gain popularity and to show off their potentials,” he added.
Vinluan also called on the locals to stay vigilant and help authorities prevent similar attacks by reporting suspicious persons or abandoned baggage which may contain explosives.
“I urge the peace-loving people of Basilan to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious person or object in their vicinity. Do not allow the evil-doers to destroy the peace and tranquillity in your respective community. Rest assured that your armed forces will persistently work toward for everyone to enjoy lasting peace and sustainable development,” he said.
Just last month, Abu Sayyaf terrorists bombed a bridge in Basilan’s Sumisip town, but failed the blast failed to destroy it. The attack occurred after the bridge’s contractor allegedly failed to pay extortion money to the Abu Sayyaf.
The terrorist group sent a letter to the project contractor and demanded money, according to authorities which tagged Abu Sayyaf commander Pasil Bayali as behind the bombing. The Abu Sayyaf has been largely blamed for the spate of deadly attacks and series of bombings in Basilan over the last decade.
In October 2019, government forces thwarted planned attacks by Abu Sayyaf terrorists under Furuji Indama to bomb the circumferential road in the province following a clash with gunmen in the village called Calang Canas in Maluso town and troops had recovered 6 improvised explosives.
But a suicide attack a year earlier by Moroccan ISIS fighter Abu Katheer
al Maghribi in Basilan’s Lamitan City left over a dozen casualties. Authorities
said 11 people were killed when a car bomb exploded at a security checkpoint in
Bulanting village, about 2 kilometers away from downtown Lamitan.
The powerful explosion obliterated the vehicle and left a huge crater and among
those killed were a woman and a child; and the militia commander whose unit is
under the supervision of the Philippine Army. Five soldiers and several
civilians were also wounded in the explosion. (Mindanao Examiner)
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