Soldier slain, 8 wounded in Basilan ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — An Army soldier was killed while eight others including a police officer were wounded in an ambush in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan on Saturday.

Troopers of the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion along with Pat. Abdurafic Acalun and Vice Mayor Ahmadin Baharim were in two military trucks and a civilian vehicle when suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed them at past 3 p.m. in Barangay Ulitan, according to Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, chief of the Joint Task Force Basilan and 101st Infantry Brigade.

Baharim and the officers are members of a joint peace and security team. They were on their way to inspect a venue for a scheduled outreach mission when they were waylaid by about 10 men.

Luzon said the troopers returned fire, prompting the armed men to retreat toward the jungle.

The firefight lasted five minutes, according to the Western Midnanao Command (Westmincom).

The slain soldier was identified as Pvt. Marjohn Tenido.

Baharim was not wounded in the attack.

The wounded military officers – Corporals Olismador Palomares and Elias Lomoljo; Privates Wowie Penista, Frances Capilitan and Carlo Gimenez, Pfc. Nestor Tampos and S/Sgt. Rosario Bisara Jr. – were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Acalun was rushed to a hospital in Zamboanga City due to his delicate condition. He was supposed to serve as an interpreter of the soldiers, who were seeking the cooperation of tribal leaders and local officials for the conduct of a medical mission for poor residents in the village.

The military has yet to confirm whether the armed men suffered casualties or injuries.

The Westmincom condemned the attack, saying it was an act of terrorism.

Meanwhile, in Cotabato, three persons were wounded in a grenade attack in Kabakan town before dawn yesterday.

Wadzere Salasal, his wife Noma and their six-year-old daughter  were taken to a hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds.

Witnesses told police that they saw a man throw something into the window of the victims’ house located in Barangay Kayaga. They said the man ran away and an explosion occurred  after a few seconds.

Lt. Col. Maxim Peralta, Kabacan police chief, said probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack. He said that villagers are helping the police solve the case. — John Unson, Rainier Allan Ronda