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| Southeast Asia | ||
| Abu Sayyaf truck bomb went off early, killing terrorists including commander's brother | ||
| 2010-04-14 | ||
At least 15 people, including the brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Purudji Indama, were killed in the attacks staged by armed men wearing police and military uniforms, reports said Monday night. A bomb explosion tore apart a Hyundai Starex van parked beside the grandstand of Basilan National High School in Barangay Eastside at around 10:30 a.m. Killed were two civilians and a man in police uniform, who later turned out to be Indama's brother Benzar. Prematurely triggered Citing reports of bomb experts, Mendoza said in a phone interview that an improvised explosives device (IED) inside the van "was prematurely triggered." Three Abu Sayyaf members on board the vehicle, including Benzar who was seated at the rear portion, were killed in the blast, he said. He said responding Marine soldiers were fired upon by the armed men. "Two of the Marines were initially wounded and later died," he said. "Our troops were being fired at by snipers. Some residents told us they saw at least eight armed men leaving the campus," Mendoza told reporters in Manila. The attackers also fired at houses as they fled, he said. Two more men wearing police uniforms were captured by the soldiers near the grandstand, he told local journalists. Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command chief, said the armed men belonged to the Abu Sayyaf. Cathedral explosion While the fighting was going on, another bomb placed under a motorcycle went off at the rear portion of Santa Isabel Cathedral on J.S. Alano Street at around 11 a.m., Mendoza said. I suppose the gang had previously placed this one before the workplace accident. Five people were wounded, he said. "The cathedral was attacked by rebels ... I call my people to stay calm. I call the men and women in uniform. We need assistance to neutralize the situation in the cathedral," Bishop Jumoad said in an interview over the Church-run Radio Veritas. "I asked for prayers particularly from the Pink Sisters from the Carmelite monastery that there will be peace so that the problem will be immediately resolved," he added. There will be peace when your kind has been exterminated, Father.
Jumoad said three other explosions rocked the city plaza, the house of Judge Leo Principe and the vicinity of City Hall. Detonated bomb But police said the bomb found outside Principe's house was detonated by members of the Zamboanga Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team. A dud. Looks like they have a quality control problem in their bomb manufacturing. Might want to bring in some TQM consultants or something. At least five Marines and one policeman, identified only as a certain Morales, were killed, police reports said Monday night. One Marine was wounded while trying to secure the capitol building, Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban, Marine commandant, was quoted by The Associated Press (AP) as saying. Military and police officials refused to disclose the names of the government fatalities. Five civilians were also among the dead, Mendoza told the Inquirer. He identified them as Enrico dela Luna, Edilberto Villa, Rodelio Francisco, Boy Nabi and one Ivan. "Boy Nabi"? Like the Boy Wonder? Or Boy, from Tarzan? Several others were wounded, while five bandits were captured, Dolorfino said. "Right now, clashes are ongoing near the Tabiawan area," he said, raising fears that the attackers might proceed to Lamitan town. | ||
| Posted by:gromky |
| #3 Yeah, we've thinned the herd a lot more than anyone in the media will admit. They won't admit that we're getting better at countering terror tactics either. Thank you for that, Keeney. I needed some good news today, and am very happy to admit yours. Well done to all the herd thinners and tactic counterers! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-14 11:36 |
| #2 The terrorists have no clocks in Zamboanga... |
| Posted by: mojo 2010-04-14 10:32 |
| #1 "*sigh* Terrorists just aren't what they used to be. So many of the talented ones have been killed or arrested, it appears" Yeah, we've thinned the herd a lot more than anyone in the media will admit. I remember a span of about 3 days in 2005 where we confirmed over 70 killed by our rockets in Anbar Province, but nobody reported it. They won't admit that we're getting better at countering terror tactics either. Of course, it doesn't help that our military and OGA guys go to war wearing handcuffs while the specter of Congressional Spanish Inquisitions looms over every battle and interrogation. |
| Posted by: Keeney 2010-04-14 09:17 |