A group of armed men, led by a barangay security officer, killed a soldier and two government militiamen in an ambush in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, last Friday.
A report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City stated that a civilian was also killed during the gun attack in Barangay Bohe Lebbung in Tipo-Tipo town at around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The victims were identified as Private First Class Mark Anthony Monte, militiamen Sony Akkay and Alibasa Antaas, and the civilian, Kog Oging. Two other victims were wounded, one of them identified as Randy Ibbung.
Before the ambush, Monte reportedly confronted Karim Manisan, the barangay security officer and a relative of a barangay captain. Police said the confrontation could have triggered the attack.
When Monte and the militiamen were on their way back to their outposts, the group led by Manisan reportedly started shooting them.
Monte’s body was later recovered by the Army troopers, while that of the three other fatalities were claimed by their relatives.
The local police and the military are now conducting follow-up operations against the suspects.