Gov’t troops uncover bombing plot of ASG

Government security forces have uncovered a plan of the ASG brigands to conduct bombings in Jolo, the capital town of Sulu. (Photo from Wikipedia/Mike Gonzalez)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government security forces have been placed on alert and to remain focus in their mission against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands in Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint task Group Sulu commander, said they have uncovered a plan of the ASG brigands to conduct bombings in Jolo, the capital town of Sulu.

Arrojado said the bombing plan has been initiated by ASG leader Radulan Sahiron, the oldest among the brigand leaders in the province.

Arrojado said the “hostile plan” is to divert the focus of the military troops currently conducting focused military operations targeting Radulan’s group in the hinterlands of Patikul and Talipao towns.

The military are continuously conducting military offensive against the ASG brigands aimed to neutralize the group in the province of Sulu.

Arrojado said that Sahiron has ordered some of his followers, led by ASG member Namil Ahajari, alias “Gapas,” to conduct bombings in downtown Jolo.

He said the priority targets of the ASG brigands are in the areas of Kakuyagan village and Serrantes street where soldiers frequently pass in going to the market.

He said the improvised bomb explosion inside a videoke bar on Thursday was carried out by Roger Saji a companion of Ahajari, who was tasked by Sahiron to carry out the bombing mission.

No one was either killed or wounded in the explosion at the videoke bar located in Sitio Basabasa, Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo that occurred around 7:35 p.m. Thursday.

The videoke bar, owned by former Vice Mayor Mijan Hasim of Talipao town, is located adjacent to the Gate 1 of Camp General Teodulfo Bautista that houses the Joint Task Group Sulu headquarters.