GOVERNMENT troops retrieved and disarmed an improvised bomb in Indanan town in Sulu last Saturday, preempting an explosion that could have killed or injured solders and even civilians.
The military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu said the improvised explosive device was believed planted by members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, which is notorious for bombings, kidnappings, and other atrocities.
It said the bomb was found by troops from the Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, led by 2Lt. Enrey Rafael, in Barangay Tumatangis at around 8:30 a.m. during a combat operation.
“Upon discovery of our operating troops, we immediately deployed additional forces to secure the area where the IED was located to preempt it from making harm to innocent civilians,” said 1102nd Brigade commander Col. Giovanni Franza.
Franza said personnel from the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team were also sent to the site and successfully disarmed the IED.
Lt. Col. Alaric Avelino delos Santos, civil military operations officer of the JTF Sulu, said the IED would have exploded if someone stepped on it.
“The IED laid by the Abu Sayyaf Group bandits indicate the terrorists firm resolve to harm not only our troops but also the innocent civilians,” said JTF Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio.
