ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least three persons were killed while three others were wounded when joint security forces launched an operation Monday dawn against a wanted person in a remote village in Lamitan City, Basilan.
A village official said the exchange of firefight woke up residents to scamper from different directions.
The slain victims were identified as Eddie Haramai, Ananang Odiong and Amparing Akalul, according to Barangay Bohe Ibu Chair Maklimar Mammang.
He said those wounded were Ananang’s husband Atotong and their two children, who were all residents of Barangay Bohe Ibu.
Mammang said the joint elements of the Special Forces, Scout Ranger and police staged the operation to get the wanted person identified as Nurhassan Lahaman about 5 a.m. at Barangay Bohe Ibu.
Mammang suspected that the victims might have been mistaken as targets in the operation.
“But we were puzzled how the civilians were caught in the crossfire when the target house of the suspect was more than 100 meters,” Mammang said.
He said Atotong and his two children were brought to the hospital for treatment.
Mammang said the operation triggered tension in the village as residents were barred from getting closer to the area.
He said Lahaman, who was the target in the operation, was not arrested.