Troops recover bomb-making materials from Abu Sayyaf camp

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Bomb-making materials were recovered by government troops from the training camp of the Abu Sayyaf Group in the jungles of Basilan province that they overrun on Monday.

Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command, said the dawn strike at Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo town also preempted the Abu Sayyaf group led by Isnilon Hapilon and Furuji Indama from staging bombing attacks.

At least 6 militants were reported killed during the military's ground strike. Three soldiers were also hurt in the ensuing encounter.

Ardo said the elite units of the Light Reaction Company (LRC) and the Army Scout Ranger scouring the makeshift training camp recovered electronic parts, circuitry, wires, alligator clips, digital clocks, and other electronic equipment contained in a plastic toolbox.

He said that the seized items confirm intelligence reports that the bandit group has also been training its followers in bomb-making and demolition tactics.

Ardo said that troops conducting mopping up operations in the camp were still scouring the area for bombs.

The military official admitted that while the bandit group has been degraded with the government’s continuous offensive operations, it is still capable of launching bombing attacks and other terrorist acts.

“So we have been preventing their terrorism plot. We are not just reacting, we are doing pro-active operations to prevent atrocity and we want to isolate them,” Ardo said.

Ardo, meanwhile, reminded that vigilance of the community is still very important to prevent the militants from carrying out attacks.

“We need an unfriendly community for the Abu Sayyaf. The Abu sayyaf should not have cell or ally in area they are taking refuge or sanctuary,” Ardo added.