Cop killed, 1 hurt in Abu attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits shot dead a police officer near the Jolo airport in Patikul, Sulu yesterday morning, a security official said.

The official said another officer was also wounded when a group of militants raided a police detachment near the Sulu provincial capitol, also in Patikul, on Friday night. 

The fatality was identified as Police Officer 2 Espaldon Bara Tingkahan, 40, of the Provincial Public Safety Company, according to Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, chief of Joint Task Group Sulu.

Arrojado said investigation showed the victim was jogging near the airport when he was shot by two assailants disguised as joggers at around 5:40 a.m. 

Troops from the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion responded and exchanged fire with the assailants, who managed to escape toward the mountains.

Arrojado said prior to the incident, another group of bandits strafed a police detachment at the back of the provincial capitol, wounding an officer.

Arrojado said troops pursued the gunmen who reatreated toward the mangrove areas in Talipao.

Marines were also deployed in Mt. Tukay in Indanan town to pursue the militants.