Gunmen killed three soldiers in an ambush in Al-Barka town of Basilan on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 15.
Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, said two of the soldiers died on the spot while the third fatality succumbed to bulletwounds in the hospital.
He said a squad of soldier were supposed to replace a team of Army troopers in Al-Barka town when they were ambushed along the way.
A gun battle erupted and Gobway said it lasted for at least 10 minutes.
Gobway said additional soldiers were sent to the area to hunt down the gunmen.