Cops foil ASG bomb plot

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Security forces foiled the Abu Sayyaf group in a plan to detonate on Wednesday a powerful bomb in a village of Lamitan City, Basilan, police said.

The police said elements of the 14th Scout Ranger Company tracked down the improvised explosive device (IED) in Barangay Sabong about 4 p.m. after they were alerted by intelligence information of the impending bombing attack of the Abu Sayyaf group. 

Lamitan police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said personnel from the explosive ordnance disposal were deployed and safely defused and detonated the bomb.

The recovered IED was fashioned through a liquefied petroleum gas tank, a mortar ammunition, blasting cap, nails and ammonium nitrate, described to be powerful and deadly.

Investigation further disclosed that the bomb was laid by a certain Erik Ajibon, a suspected Abu Sayyaf member under sub-leader Nurhassan Jamiri.

Gallardo said security has been intensified in Lamitan and nearby areas due to the bomb threats of the Abu Sayyaf group.