ZAMBOANGA CITY—An Abu Sayyaf bomb expert died when the bomb he was carrying accidentally exploded while evading pursuing government forces in the hinterlands of Basilan.
Col. Cirilo Tomas Donato, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, said the incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Thursday in Barangay Mangalut, Akbar, Basilan province.
Donato identified the slain Abu Sayyaf bomb expert as Mussana Jamiri, whose group the military forces had been pursuing in the hinterlands of Basilan.
Jamiri is a first-degree cousin of Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Nurhassan Jamiri.
Donato said the group of Jamiri was fleeing toward the boundary of Akbar town, as the troops were closing in on them when the explosive he was carrying exploded.
He said Jamiri’s group was involved in the clash on Tuesday in Tuburan town that resulted in the death of three soldiers and a militiaman.
Donato also said Jamiri’s group ambushed the government troops on Wednesday night in Barangay Parangbasak, Lamitan City, Basilan.
He added that one soldier died, while another was wounded during the ambush. The soldiers belong to the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion.
Donato said the mangled remains of Jamiri was turned over to the family for proper disposition.