Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Death toll in Basilan clash rises to 8

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 11): Death toll in Basilan clash rises to 8

The death toll on Monday’s encounter between the military and suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members has climbed to eight.

“Last night, we received a report that the total number of those killed in the encounter was eight. Seven are Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) and the other one is a member of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team,” Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) told the Philippines News Agency on Tuesday.

Eleven others were also wounded, including six soldiers, she said.

Two military officials were among the wounded soldiers, she added.

Troops under the Army’s 4th Special Forces were conducting a patrol when they chanced upon the suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group. Three militiamen were instantly killed in the initial gunfight.

The succeeding firefight between the reinforcement troops and the retreating bandits left five more militiamen killed.

Petingaly said there are about 40 militiamen assigned to a special forces company.

“Our militiamen are for territorial defense, meaning they are also trained in accordance with military procedures,” she said.

She said the militiamen, who are mostly natives of Basilan, are rendering duty on rotational basis.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=979612

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.