MANILA, Philippines, April 17 (UPI) -- Philippine military and police seized hundreds of blasting caps and an amount of explosives in raids against Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
The Manila Times on Monday, quoting the Philippine News Agency, said authorities believe the successful raids in the areas of Barangays Rio Hondo and Baiwasan in Zamboanga foiled possible Holy Week attacks in the city.
Authorities said troops and police, acting on tips from citizens, raided two houses last Thursday morning and seized 300 Indian-made blasting caps, C-4 explosives and electronic timers.
The houses were empty at the time of the raids and no arrests were made.
Earlier in April an Abu Sayyaf leader, Amilhamja Ajijul, was killed in a clash with government forces east of Zamboanga City. Four other Abu Sayyaf members were captured.
Abu Sayyaf is an Islamist terror group linked to Al-Qaida and operates mainly in the heavily-Muslim southern Philippines, where the government has waged a long struggle against Muslim secessionists.
