Abu Sayyaf bombing plot foiled with raid on Taguig safehouse

Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) behind an alleged plot to bomb some public areas in Metro Manila were apprehended last Friday in a joint operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) noted that the arrest of the suspected ASG members came in the midst of warnings issued by the PNP about the plans of terrorist groups to bomb malls, hotels and other public places in Metro Manila.

According to the ATC report, the joint elements of the AFP and PNP, under the supervision of the National Counter-Terrorism Action Group, raided a suspected ASG safehouse in Taguig City last Friday after receiving reports that members of the terrorist group were residing in the area.

The operatives arrested a certain Sala Kasan Bairulla and his son Albasher Bairulla inside one of the apartments in the city, the exact location of which was not disclosed.

After a search of the premises, the operatives recovered a complete set of improvised explosive device, a caliber 38 pistol, live ammunitions and a hand grenade. 

It was revealed that the improvised explosive device recovered was very powerful and could have caused severe damage to lives and properties.

The two suspected ASG members were taken into custody by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and were immediately subjected to inquest proceedings.

ATC spokesperson and Justice undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor welcomed the arrest of the suspected terrorists and called on the public to continue to be vigilant against threats posed by terrorist groups.

Blancaflor emphasized that “our lawmakers must be reminded that the proposed law to deny bail for those apprehended with illegal possession of explosives must be enacted soon to meet future threats.”