2 village watchmen hurt as bomb explodes in Basilan town

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two members of the Barangay Peace Action Team (BPAT) in Al-Barka, Basilan, were seriously injured during an explosion past 3 p.m. Sunday, a military official reported.

Major General Demy Tejares, deputy commander of the Task Force Zambasulta (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi), identified the injured village watchmen as Sarip Alista and Allahero Ujajin.

Tejares said the two watchmen were patrolling Sitio Bohe Buug in Barangay Macalang when Alista accidentally stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

He said Alista’s left fingers were severed by the explosion. Ujajin was also injured.

Tejares did not say who planted the explosive but the bombing took place following the massive operation launched by the military against the Abu Sayyaf this week, which led to the seizure of a camp operated by the bandit group in Basilan on Sunday.

Militiamen had helped in the operation, which also resulted in the killing of two bandits.  SFM