By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY
The Philippines’ military blamed al-Qaeda-linked militants for bombing an armored army personnel carrier Thursday, damaging the vehicle in southern Basilan province.
Army Capt. Rowena Muyuela, military spokesperson for Western Mindanao Command, told The Anadolu Agency that no one was injured when an improvised explosive device, or IED, was detonated at 1.15 p.m. (0515GMT) in Sumisip town.
"We believe the IED was planted by Abu Sayyaf Group members to deter pursuit operations against them," Muyuela said in a text message.
"These developments were an indication that Abu Sayyaf group members were planting bombs along their escape routes," she explained, adding that pursuit operations were ongoing.
The blast comes a day after security forces foiled what could have been a bombing attack at a crowded village market in the province’s capital.
According to Isabela City police chief Supt. Albert Larubis, a suspicious plastic container sealed with tape was discovered at around 8.30 p.m. (1230GMT) Wednesday at the foot of a bridge.
"Immediately we secured the scene," Larubis said. “Initial verification by the K-9 dog of 15th Special Forces Company together with 4th Special Forces Battalion under Western Mindanao Command revealed positive indication of an explosive material.”
Authorities believe the bomb was planted by the Abu Sayyaf.
On Tuesday, the military launched intensified law enforcement operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, triggering sporadic clashes that left three guerrillas dead.
Government troops were able to capture two encampments and recover improvised bombs during the offensives.
According to the military, the guerillas involved in the clashes were under the command of Abu Sayyaf leaders Radzmil Janatul and Juhaivel Alamsirul, who are held responsible for an attack that killed six troopers late last year.
In November, the Abu Sayyaf ambushed soldiers securing a Saudi-funded circumferential road project, which runs around 80 kilometers (nearly 50 miles) and is designed to link nearly half of Basilan’s main highways.
The military then deployed up to 2,500 additional troops to the province after the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s governor, Mujiv Hataman, called for "all-out law enforcement operations" against the group.
Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a struggle for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
