[PhilStar] Philippine security forces have foiled an attempt by Abu Sayyaf militants to bomb several areas in Basilan.Western Mindanao Command spokesman Arvin Encinas said six improvised explosive devices were recovered from around 20 rebels that troops encountered in Barangay Calang Canas, Maluso at around 2 a.m. yesterday. There were no reported casualties on the side of the government.
“The troops clashed with the bandits while conducting security patrol amid reports that the group of Furuji Indama would launch bomb attacks,” Encinas said. Indama is an associate of Islamic State for Southeast Asia emir Isnilon Hapilon, who was killed along with the Maute brothers at the height of the fighting in Marawi in 2017.
Military informants said the militants intended to detonate the IEDs in populated areas.