ZAMBOANGA CITY — Soldiers from the Joint Task Force Basilan recovered several bomb components during a strike operation in Basilan on Thursday, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command.

WesMinCom commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. disclosed that troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion recovered a bag containing various Improvised Explosive Device and Anti-Personnel Mine components.

The soldiers recovered the components inside an old school at Sitio Pandakan, Barangay Parangbasak in Lamitan City.

JTF-Basilan commander Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway narrated that the soldiers were conducting a strike operation targeting the lawless Saddam Siddick Group when they discovered the items.

Elements of the 39th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team immediately recovered the explosive components for assessment and proper disposition.

On Tuesday, JTF-Basilan also foiled a possible bomb attack after they recovered two Improvise Explosive Devices fabricated by two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Hadji Mohammad Ajul.

Components of the two IEDs recovered by soldiers include two rounds of rocket-propelled grenade, high explosives; one round of 40mm high explosive grenade launcher; four non-electric blasting caps; a commercial detonating cord; and a commercial time fuse.