LAMITAN CITY, Basilan (PNA) – A bomb courier formerly identified with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while his companion escaped during a shootout with government troops in this city, the military said Thursday, June 30.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan commander, said Adil Akarab was killed late Wednesday in Barangay Sabong.
Lt. Col. Cyril Santander, 18th Infantry Battalion commander, said Akarab joined a group of lawless elements after his stint with the Basilan-based terrorist group.
Prior to the shootout, Gobway said soldiers received information that two lawless elements will be transporting an improvised explosive device (IED) from Tipo-Tipo, Basilan to this city.
“Upon receiving the report, all checkpoints were advised to conduct intensified checkpoint operation,” Gobway said.
He said the shootout broke out after troops cornered the suspects in a pursuit operation. Soldiers recovered a sack containing an IED and an M-16 Armalite rifle with ammunition.
The other suspect driving the motorcycle, Gobway said, managed to escape.
According to Santander, the suspect had intended to set off the bomb during the culmination of the Lami-Lamihan celebration here Wednesday.
Police Major Nurhaib Bungkac, city police chief, said they turned over the suspect's remains early Thursday to his relatives for interment in accordance with Islamic law.