Sulu blast meant to disrupt anti-terror ops: Army spox

MANILA -- The explosion at a 1st Brigade Combat Team checkpoint in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu that killed five people, including three soldiers, and wounded nine others on Friday was aimed at disrupting anti-terror operations in the area.

“This attack is meant to disrupt the intensified security operations and our operational tempo following (a) series of recent operational gains in the area,” Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a statement forwarded to reporters late Friday.

The 1st Brigade Combat Team has been deployed to Sulu to boost the government’s drive against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists whom President Rodrigo R. Duterte vowed to neutralize.

The Army also strongly condemned this latest atrocity against troops whose job is to promote peace in the island.

“Despite this unfortu

nate incident, these criminals have failed to deter our troops’ resolve and operational verve. We vow to respond with formidable resolve,” Zagala added.

He reiterated the Army’s and stakeholders’ full support for the 1st Brigade Combat Team’s intensified operation to crush these terror groups.

“We assure the Filipino people that we are mobilizing all our capabilities and resources in our effort to help the people of the island of Sulu’s quest for peace and development,” Zagala said.