Task force links Basilan explosion to illegal drug groups

Basilan map. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The military said prohibited drugs could be behind the grenade throwing incident that injured two members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Isabela City, Basilan province Wednesday night.

“It’s drug connected,” said Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, the commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, referring to the incident when “Cafgus were conducting checkpoints to prevent the entry of lawless elements including individuals notoriously involved in drugs.”

He said the blast during the checkpoint wounded CAA Raywick Ramos of 19th Special Forces Coy and CAA Rakin Jadduhu of 14th Special Forces Coy.

This was after an unidentified man lobbed a grenade at about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the mobile checkpoint set up by the 4th Special Forces Battalion in Sitio Processing in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City.

Ramos and Jadduhu were confined at the Basilan Community Hospital but are now in stable condition.  /jpv