ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Six policemen, an Army soldier and a civilian were wounded in an encounter with members of a suspected private armed group of a former vice mayor in Maimbung, Sulu yesterday.
Four of those wounded were identified as Capt. Ergie Wanawan, Cpl. Alnadzie Sahiran and Sgts. Julakbar Jahani and Jadier Alfad of the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC).
They were taken to a military hospital at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo for treatment.
Special Action Force commandos, PMFC personnel and soldiers belonging to the 41st Infantry Battalion were supposed to serve arrest and search warrants for Pando Mudjasan when they were fired at, according to reports reaching the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao.
Mudjasan, said to be a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, is wanted for murder and other criminal cases.
Personnel of the Joint Task Force Sulu were mobilized to reinforce the operating units.
Gunfights were reportedly ongoing as of yesterday afternoon. — Emmanuel Tupas, John Unson