ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An improvised explosive device (IED) believed planted by Abu Sayyaf bandits was recovered by government security forces in Lamitan City, Basilan Monday night.
Police said the IED was left along a dimly lit area of Rizal Avenue.
Members of the military’s explosive ordnance and disposal team defused the bomb.
City police chief Senior Inspector Gean Gallardo said the bomb was fashioned from a milk can packed with nails, wires and ammonium nitrate fuel oil.
Meanwhile, a civilian alerted Marine soldiers after the discovery of a suspicious item wrapped in a sack in Jolo, Sulu.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the item was found at the junction of the Notre Dame College and the Marine’s tactical operation squadron.
Arrojado said the item turned out to be a fake bomb.