Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 31) — A powerful improvised bomb packed inside a van exploded early Tuesday at a security checkpoint in Lamitan, Basilan, killing 11 people in an attack officials suspect could be the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said based on his conversation with the Western Mindanao Commander, Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, the driver of the van "whose identity is not yet known ay part ng grupo ni Furuji Indama."
Indama is a top leader of the ASG.
The blast near the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit detachment in Sitio Maganda in Lamitan killed one soldier, five government militiamen, four relatives of CAFGU members, and the van driver, Arevalo said.
Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said scout rangers went after the van after the CAFGU members manning the checkpoint reported a suspicious bag inside the car.
"Sa loob ng van, allegedly nandoon ang driver na ayaw bumaba, so paglapit ng mga scout ranger at nag-surround ang CAFGU, pumutok na ang van," Furigay told CNN Philippines.
The explosion toppled power lines, tore down a concrete wall, destroyed some vehicles and left a crater on the road.
Despite the deaths, Arevalo called the incident a successful Army operation because security forces were able to foil the reported plan of ASG under Indama to deploy IEDs to key areas of Basilan.
"Naging matagumpay tayo sa ating ginawang pagpigil sa pagkapasok sana ng IED na sakay ng isang van," he said.
Arevalo cautioned against calling the attack a suicide bombing incident or the handiwork of a lone-wolf attacker due to insufficient evidence because the investigation is still ongoing. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The initial report from the police said the van driver was a "foreign driver," but Arevalo said this cannot be verified because the driver and the people who saw him died on the spot.
"Huwag nang dagdagan pa ang pamngamba ng ating mga kababayan sa Basilan sa pamamagitan ng iba't-ibang haka haka na wala namang validation," Arevalo said.
He also said it was not clear if there was only one or several improvised bombs inside the van and if it was the driver who detonated it. Explosives experts are trying to find out the type and design of the explosive used.
The Palace condemned the attack, calling it a "war crime" and an "indiscriminate attack."
"Authorities are now investigating the incident even as we vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice," Roque said.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018...on-Abu-Sayyaf-Group-Furuji-Indama-attack.html
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said based on his conversation with the Western Mindanao Commander, Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, the driver of the van "whose identity is not yet known ay part ng grupo ni Furuji Indama."
Indama is a top leader of the ASG.
The blast near the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit detachment in Sitio Maganda in Lamitan killed one soldier, five government militiamen, four relatives of CAFGU members, and the van driver, Arevalo said.
Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said scout rangers went after the van after the CAFGU members manning the checkpoint reported a suspicious bag inside the car.
"Sa loob ng van, allegedly nandoon ang driver na ayaw bumaba, so paglapit ng mga scout ranger at nag-surround ang CAFGU, pumutok na ang van," Furigay told CNN Philippines.
The explosion toppled power lines, tore down a concrete wall, destroyed some vehicles and left a crater on the road.
Despite the deaths, Arevalo called the incident a successful Army operation because security forces were able to foil the reported plan of ASG under Indama to deploy IEDs to key areas of Basilan.
"Naging matagumpay tayo sa ating ginawang pagpigil sa pagkapasok sana ng IED na sakay ng isang van," he said.
Arevalo cautioned against calling the attack a suicide bombing incident or the handiwork of a lone-wolf attacker due to insufficient evidence because the investigation is still ongoing. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The initial report from the police said the van driver was a "foreign driver," but Arevalo said this cannot be verified because the driver and the people who saw him died on the spot.
"Huwag nang dagdagan pa ang pamngamba ng ating mga kababayan sa Basilan sa pamamagitan ng iba't-ibang haka haka na wala namang validation," Arevalo said.
He also said it was not clear if there was only one or several improvised bombs inside the van and if it was the driver who detonated it. Explosives experts are trying to find out the type and design of the explosive used.
The Palace condemned the attack, calling it a "war crime" and an "indiscriminate attack."
"Authorities are now investigating the incident even as we vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice," Roque said.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018...on-Abu-Sayyaf-Group-Furuji-Indama-attack.html
