ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - An improvised bomb planted by the Abu Sayyaf urban terror group was recovered by government forces Monday night in Lamitan City, Basilan, according to police.
The police said the improvised explosive device (IED) was placed along the dimly-lit road of Rizal Avenue.
The military immediately dispatched its explosive ordnance and disposal (EOD) team and safely defused the bomb through water disruptor.
Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo, police chief of Lamitan City said the bomb was fashioned through a milk can packed with nails, wires and ammonium nitrate fuel oil.
Meanwhile, a civilian discovered about 9:30 p.m. Monday a suspicious item wrapped in sack. He alerted the Marines conducting checkpoint near the compound of the Department of Public Works and Highway along Airport road in Jolo, Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the suspicious item, about 50 to 70 meters away from the checkpoint, was left behind at the junction of Notre Dame College and Tactical Operation Squadron.
Marine EOD disrupted the suspicious item which turned out to be a hoax IED.
“We cannot disregard such discovery and reports because the Abu Sayyaf group threatened to conduct bombing in Jolo,” Arrojado said.