MANILA, Philippines — Three soldiers were killed in a shootout with armed men who attacked an Army detachment in Al-Barka, Basilan yesterday.
The identities of the fatalities were withheld pending notification of their family members.
It was not immediately known if the attackers suffered casualties.
Reports from the Joint Task x showed that a certain Abaas Jankatan led the group of armed men who surrounded and opened fire on the detachment of the 18th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Magcawa.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, task force and 101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the military has yet to determine if the attackers are affiliated with any rebel or militant group.
Pursuit and clearing operations were ongoing as of yesterday afternoon. - John Unson