TRIPwire, 19 July 2021

On 17 July 2021, local authorities conducted a raid on the home of an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader in Jolo, Sulu and found a MK2 grenade and bomb-making material (BMM), described as two bottles of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO), two pieces of detonating cord, and a safety fuse. Authorities arrested a 28-year-old female suspect, who will face charges of illegal possession of explosives and violation of the act on preventing, prohibiting, and penalizing terrorism. During the raid, authorities were planning to serve an arrest warrant against the Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, but he managed to escape. The investigation is ongoing.