Troops kill suspected foreign suicide bombers

The terrorists could have caused tremendous casualties in Metro Jolo. #suicidebombers #foreignterrorists

Two vests with explosives and triggering devices were seized from the slain suspects. (AFP)

JOLO, Sulu – Two suspected foreign terrorists and one Abu Sayyaf member believed to be on a suicide bombing mission were killed in a firefight with troops in Sulu on Tuesday.

The suspects fired at the soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion and 1102nd Infantry Brigade who flagged them down in a checkpoint along the national road in Sitio Itawon, Brgy. Kan Islam, Indanan around 4:50 p.m. prompting the troops to fire back killing them on the spot.

The foreign terrorists were believed to be the husband and son of the foreign suicide bomber who attacked a military post in KM3, Brgy. Tagbak also in Indanan on 8 September 2019.

Recovered from the slain terrorists were one caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, one hand grenade, and two vests with explosives and triggering devices identical to the vest used by the suicide bombers during the two IED attacks in Brgy Tanjung, Indanan, Sulu on 28 June and on 8 September this year.

Col. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of 1102nd Infantry Brigade, said, “The hostile plan of the terrorists in Sulu could have caused tremendous casualties and could have tarnished the image of this country if not immediately acted upon by our soldiers. Hence, I commend them for such patriotic act”.

Major General Corleto S. Vinluan Jr., commander of the JTF Sulu, lauded the military personnel who carried out the military operations for their sacrifices, superb planning and careful execution of their tasks to apprehend the suicide bombers.

“The AFP in Sulu will continue to hunt down all the remaining ASG members in Sulu. Hence, I urge them to surrender and live a normal life instead of being hunted down as a fleeing criminals and disgrace to the peace-loving Tausug community,” said Vinluan.