Basilan blast wrecks military APC

MANILA, Philippines — An improvised explosive device went off in Basilan Thursday afternoon, damaging an Army armored personnel carrier, the military said.

“As of 1:15 p.m. this afternoon merong na-detonate ang mga Abu Sayyaf na IED at pinasabugan nila yung armored personnel carrier. Wala namang nasaktan dun sa ating group at sila ay nasa maayos na kalagayan,” Armed Forces of the Public Affairs Office chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc told reporters.

The incident happened in sitio (sub-village) Abatar in Baiwas village in Sumisip town.

The military has launched intensified law enforcement operations against Abu Sayyaf sub leaders in Basilan early this week. A series of encounters left six bandits dead and six wounded last Tuesday based on military estimates.

The Air Force also launched air strikes to support ground troops early Wednesday. Clearing operations have led the government troops to recover five improvised bombs, two of which were from the encounter sites, Cabunoc said.

Four Abu Sayyaf camps were also overran by government authorities.

Pursuit operations continue as of posting time, Cabunoc said.