PNP says Abu Sayyaf behind Indanan, Sulu explosion

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) could be behind the explosion that struck an Army camp in Indanan, Sulu.

“Based on the information na nakuha natin, this is a locally-initiated attack organized by the Abu Sayyaf Group,” PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.

In an ambush interview, Banac said the terrorist group, under its leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, has been conducting its operations in Sulu.

“Ang ating basehan lamang dahil ang operasyon sa lugar na yan matagal na nilang hangarin na maghasik ng lagim sa pamamagitan ng terrorist acts,” he said.

ISIS involvement

Banac, however, said they have yet to receive evidence to prove the Islamic State’s involvement in the Sulu blast.

“The report made by the ISIS that they are responsible for this is still up for validation,” Banac said.

“So as of now, wala pang ebidensya o kaugnayan ang ISIS dito, ito ay base lamang sa kanilang statement na nangyaring incident sa Sulu, we know for a fact that a lot of incidents happened at a locally-initiated terrorist act,” he added. /je

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