ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in an encounter with suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Lower Cabengbeng, Sumisip town, Basilan province on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
MEDICAL staff in a Basilan hospital attend to soldiers wounded in an encounter with the MILF on Jan. 22. (Photo courtesy of Ely Dumaboc)
Gunmen ambushed a convoy of United Nations Development Program representatives surveying the area for a project.
Soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion securing the team returned fire, resulting in a firefight.
Two soldiers were killed and seven were wounded. They were taken to a hospital in the province.
Images from sources in the area show a burned military truck.
A MILITARY truck on fire during the encounter. (Photo via Ely Dumaboc)
Army 101st Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon said the area has been cleared of the armed men and they are coordinating with the MILF leadership about the incident.
Last October, the Japanese government and the UNDP launched the ASPIRE program, a project that aims to reduce loose firearms in the Bangsamoro region.
It was not immediately known if the UNDP was in the area to continue the program.
Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman condemned the encounter.
“On-behalf of the provincial government and the peace-loving people of Basilan, I condemn in strongest terms possible the bloody encounter this afternoon in Upper Cabengbeng, Sumisip that killed two soldiers and wounded seven others,” Salliman said in a Facebook post shortly after the incident.
“As confirmed by the military, the incident was perpetrated by misguided elements of the MILF out to spoil or destroy the peace and tranquility of the province.
“Our prayers and sympathy go to the slain soldiers, their bereaved families and those wounded now undergoing treatment in the hospital.
"We call upon the MILF leadership in Basilan and the security forces to find a common ground that would resolve the issue and prevent a repeat of the incident in the future.
“We also call on the Basileños stay vigilant and sober as the authorities are in full control of the situation.
“There is no cause for alarm. Basilan remains peaceful, thanks to the police and military.
”Thank you very much.”