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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu Sayyaf attack during Holy Week foiled |
| 2006-04-17 |
| Authorities foiled a plan by the Abu Sayyaf to bomb this city during the Holy Week, following the seizure of hundreds of bomb components and explosives in separate raids in suspected hideouts, the military said. Col. Edgardo Gidaya, chief of Task Force Zamboanga, said concerned citizens tipped the military and police about the presence of suspicious persons occupying safe houses in Barangays Rio Hondo and Baliwasan. Gidaya said the raids were carried out Thursday at 9 a.m. but the terrorists had fled before the troops arrived. The raiding team found 300 pieces of blasting caps and C4 explosives in Barangay Rio Hondo and three electronic timers in Barangay Baliwasan. Most of the blasting caps were made in India. The police and military authorities believe that the Abu Sayyaf is planning to carry out a series of bombings in the city. Gidaya appealed to the public to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious people and unattended baggage. On April 11 the Abu SayyafÂ’s Urban Terrorist Group leader, Amilhamja Ajijul, and his father, Andalul, were killed in a firefight with government forces in Barangay Calabasa, 50 kilometers east of the city. Four of AjijulÂ’s followers were also captured during the gun battle. Ajijul was believed to be responsible for the October 17, 2002, bombing of Shop-o-Rama and ShopperÂ’s Central department stores in downtown Zamboanga City that resulted in the death and injury of dozens of civilians. He was also implicated in the bombing of an eatery outside Camp Gen. Arturo Enrile in Barangay Malagutay in early October 2002 that killed an American soldier participating in joint US-Philippine military exercises. |
| Posted by:Phens Spaimp8136 |