Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Lives were saved as a concerned citizen reported an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) made by infamous ASG Leader and bomber Mundi Sawadjaan.
Through the cooperation of the civilian populace of the municipality of Indanan, a bombing was spoiled as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was retrieved.
“It can be recalled that Sawadjaan was behind the 2019 Jolo Cathedral Bombing,” Western Mindanao Command Chief, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said.
Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. further said that at 4:30 p.m., Friday, the troops of the 1101st Infantry Brigade and the 100th Infantry Battalion acted on a report received from a concerned citizen of the presence of a suspicious object in their vicinity.
Col. Antonio Bautista, Commander of 1101st Infantry Brigade and Ltc. Gagula, Commander of 100th Infantry Battalion, went to Brgy. Timbangan, Indanan to personally verify the veracity of the report. Upon confirmation, Ltc. Gagula immediately contacted the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu and disposed the IED on site. The IED sealed with coconut leaves which was composed of a mortar cartridge, 90RR projectile heat, five (5) liters of Ammonium-Nitrate/Fuel-oil (ANFO), battery and an improvised blasting cap was emplaced near a barangay road which could have hurt innocent civilians within 20-meter radius.
In a statement, 11th Infantry Division and JTF Sulu Commander MGen. William N. Gonzales said “The Abu Sayyaf Group is obviously frustrated by the series of their losses that they resort to the most hideous form of violent extremism – bombing. They want to instill fear, but the bravery and courage of our troops is unsurpassable.”
To recall, just last month, a would-be suicide bomber identified as Rezky Fantasya @Cici Rullieb was apprehended in Jolo, Sulu by the combined forces of the JTF Sulu and local and national law enforcement agencies.
Yesterday, 29 October 2020, the 5th Special Forces Company under 1Lt. Lanzar who is also under the command of 1101st Brigade, mobilized the 7th CAA Company and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team to pursue around ten (10) ASG under the group of ASG sub-leader Ellam Nasirin, affiliate of Mundi Sawajaan. A 30-minute firefight transpired that ended with the ASG members scampering away in different directions. Blood stains were found on the encounter site, strongly indicating that some of the bandits got wounded during the encounter.
“We are continuously tracking the ASG, with the consolidated efforts of all units and the full support from the civilian populace who provide timely and accurate information of ASG’s whereabouts and activities”, Col. Bautista said.
(Source: 11th Infantry Division ” Alakdan Troopers” | Western Mindanao Command)