A Van Goes Boom, Ten Lives Lost at a Philippine Checkpoint
The southern island of Basilan saw a devastating explosion inside a van that killed at least ten people on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. The incident, which took place at a military checkpoint, may have been carried out by militants linked to the notorious Islamic State group.
What Happened?
According to a military report and an official stationed on the island, the van had just been stopped by troops. Soldiers were talking to the driver when the blast erupted, leaving soldiers, militiamen, civilians – including a mother and child – dead.
Who Might Be Responsible?
Basilan is infamous as a stronghold for the Abu Sayyaf group. This cartel is known for kidnappings and banditry, and last year its former “emir” was neutralized. While vehicle bombings are rare in the area, the brutality of the attack raises suspicions that Abu Sayyaf may be behind it.
Lieutenant Colonel Mon Almodovar, the commander of the scout ranger unit, told the news channel ANC:
“We don’t know what the target was, but it was prematurely detonated.”
Casualties
- 1 soldier, 5 militiamen, and 4 civilians (including a mother and child) were killed.
- Several others were wounded, though the exact number of injuries is still unclear.
Local Reaction
Basilan governor Jim Saliman mentioned that reports point to Abu Sayyaf, but he stopped short of confirming.
Due to the persistent threat from Abu Sayyaf and intense military actions, most Filipinos and Western tourists are warned against entering Basilan. The group’s history of abducting fishermen and beheading Western captives when ransoms go unpaid further fuels the danger.
Political Context
President Rodrigo Duterte, who recently visited a neighboring island, has opened doors for peace talks with several factions of Abu Sayyaf. His outreach came just two days after he signed a law granting minority Muslims in the region the possibility of establishing a new autonomous area with expanded political and economic authority.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of this violent blow, the region remains tense and uncertain about once again what lies ahead.
