Soldier killed in Abu Sayyaf attack

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier was killed and two others were wounded in a gun attack by Abu Sayyaf bandits in the outskirts of Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday.

The Joint Task Force Sulu confirmed that soldiers belonging to the 45th Infantry Battalion were on their way to their headquarters when they were fired at by an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf bandits along the Tugar-Maligay road in Barangay Tugas.

The military said the bandits retreated when the troops returned fire.

The fatality was identified only as Pvt. Tawasil and the wounded as Pvts. Morales and Molkeri.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division (ID) officer-in-charge, said pursuit operations for the bandits are underway.

As this developed, in Samar, a soldier and a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary member were wounded in a landmine attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Pinabacdao town, also on Tuesday.

Capt. Ryan Layug, 8th ID public information officer, said the government troopers were on their way to a military detachment under construction when the rebels detonated an anti-personnel mine in Barangay Pelaon.

Pinabacdao Mayor Teodorico Mabag condemned the use of landmines, citing the risk it poses to civilians.

“The incident proves the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA’s willful disregard on the safety and well-being of humanity,” 8th ID commander Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon said. ”Their continuing manufacture, stockpile and use of anti-personnel mine is a gross disrespect to the UN convention that bans anti-personnel mines to protect humans from its mutilating effects and suffering.”