Man killed in Basilan blast alleged Abu Sayyaf–police

MANILA, Philippines—The man who was killed by the explosive device he was carrying in his motorcycle in Basilan Tuesday afternoon was an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, police said.

Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan police provincial director, identified the victim as a certain Rey “Gob” Sapili, who was killed when the improvised explosive device he hid in a pouch bag strapped in his waist “prematurely exploded” while he was on his way to Isabela City.

“Maybe he didn’t anticipate that military and police authorities have set up a check-point on the way to Isabela,” Dapilloza said in a phone interview, noting that Sapili turned around when the IED he had in his motorcycle (1201 PF) went off.

Dapilloza said recovered from the scene were several components of IED consisting parts of cel phone, piece of 81-millimeter ammunition and a caliber 45 pistol bearing serial number 1848828.

Sapili’s body was taken to Isabela Funeral Homes while his motorcycle was taken to Isabela City for post mortem examination.