ZAMBOANGA CITY – A patient being transported in an ambulance was held hostage and rescued by authorities in Tipo Tipo, Basilan on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Investigation showed that armed men fired at the ambulance carrying a wounded patient in Campo Salam, Sitio Mabeh, Barangay Banah, on Saturday evening.
The Tipo-Tipo police station said the vehicle was ambushed by unidentified armed men and the patient was forcibly removed at gunpoint.
Authorities confirmed that the wounded patient was being held hostage while the ambulance driver, his wife, and child who were with him inside the ambulance were safe.
The patient was rescued through coordinated efforts by the Tipo-Tipo Municipal Police Station, the 45th Infantry Battalion, and local community members.
The patient was taken to a hospital.
Authorities withheld the identity of the victim pending results of the ongoing investigation.