Abu Sayyaf’s plot to bomb Zamboanga targets foiled

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Combined police and military intelligence units foiled what could be a series of bombing attacks plotted by the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in this southern port city, officials said.

An intelligence official, however, warned that the Urban Terrorist Group (UTG), a demolition unit of the Abu Sayyaf, has diverted the plan to other key cities in Mindanao after the bombing attempt, which reportedly target commercial buildings, was thwarted.

Col. Edgardo Gidaya of Task Force Zamboanga said the plot was discovered following the arrest of four suspected Abu Sayyaf members during a raid in Sitio Calabasa, Curuan District, 46 kilometers east of this city, last April 11 which led to the neutralization of UTG sub-leader Amil Hamja Ajijul, alias Alex Alvarez.

One of the four arrested, identified as Sambri Kamlon, admitted that they have stored explosives to be used in the planned bombings.

The raiding military intelligence unit, police regional intelligence and investigation division backed by elements of the 1st and 2nd Scout Ranger Battalions seized 300 detonators at the Abu Sayyaf safehouse in Barangay Rio Hondo and Baliwasan Chico.

"At the moment we have foiled the bombing plans," the official said, saying that the companions of the four UTG members are now in hiding.

The official, who requested anonymity, declined to name the possible targets of the bombing attack but intelligence units have been alerted to thwart the plan.