Bomb attack in Sulu military camp thwarted, bomber blew himself: AFP

September 9, 2019

The military thwarted a near bomb attack in a military detachment in Sulu on Sunday, with the suicide bomber killed while trying to detonate the explosive. 

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command chief said the bomber died during the explosion at a military detachment in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu around 5:45 pm.

"The suicide bomber was in abaya attire, a woman and foreign looking with long hair based on the recovered mutilated head. However, the recovered dismembered hand is similar to that of a man," he said. 

Lt. Col.  Gerald Monfort, Joint Task Force Sulu spokesman, said according to the guard on duty the terrorist who appeared pregnant approached the entrance gate of KM3 detachment of 35th Infantry Battalion.

Monfort said while taking a defensive position the guard warned the terrorist not to enter the camp.

"The guard even interpreted the warning in Tausug dialect which warned other soldiers in the detachment to be on guard and to take their respective fighting positions. However, the unidentified terrorist suddenly blew himself," he said.

Monfort said based on initial investigation authorities recovered at the blast site one manual fuse igniter believed to be from the suicide bomber.

"There were no military and civilian casualties during the incident," he added.

Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of the JTF Sulu, lauded the detachment's personnel.

“The suicide bombing could have resulted to tremendous casualties if it was not properly addressed by our soldier. Hence, I commend them for such heroic achievement”, he said.

Vinluan said the incident is an indication of Abu Sayyaf's desperation to sow fear among the people of Sulu because of their dwindling membership and strength.

“It is very ironic that the Abu Sayyaf who is projecting to be a Muslim advocate for change is practising un-Islamic acts of terror forbidden in the Muslim faith. It is for this reason that I urge the peace-loving Tausugs to remain steadfast against the deceptive propaganda of the Abu Sayyaf who have brought the decade-long menace in Sulu," he said.  Robina Asido/DMS