GOVERNMENT security forces have foiled two roadside bombing attempts and apprehended two suspected Abu Sayyaf bombers in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Thursday.
Brigadier General Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the first roadside bombing was prevented after the troops from the Army’s 32nd and 44th Infantry Battalions discovered a triggering device of an improvised bomb around 4 p.m. Wednesday at Sitio Nangka in the village of Kan Ague, Patikul.
The discovery of the triggering device led to the unearthing of the improvised explosive device (IED) placed at the side of the road and covered with dry leaves, Arrojado added.
He said the troops were conducting security along the road network from the village of Kan Ague to Kabbon Takas to ensure the safe movement of troops from the temporary patrol base in the village of Kabbon Takas to Bonbon village.
The triggering device, consisting of a dry cell battery wrapped with black electrical tape with attached electrical wire, was connected to an IED “buried at the roadside,” he added.
The troops apprehended two suspected Abu Sayyaf bombers near the place where the IED was recovered. The identities of the two suspects were withheld.
Arrojado said the IED, which was safely defused, was taken to the headquarters of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion.
The two arrested suspects were turned over to the custody of the police for appropriate action.
The troops recovered from the suspects a 20-liter container filled with ammonium nitrate, nylon loop switch, two pieces blasting caps, 10 dry cell batteries, and 12 meters electrical wire.
Arrojado said the second roadside bombing was foiled around 7:20 a.m. Thursday in the village of Tugas, Patikul.
The troops cordoned the area and requested for the assistance of explosive ordnance disposal to defuse the IED, he added.