11 gov’t troops wounded in Basilan daylight ambush

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — Eleven government troopers were wounded—three in critical condition—after their convoy was ambushed on Monday morning in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, breaking the reign of peace and security that local government officials and the military have worked hard to preserve over the years.

Army Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales, commander of the 1101st Infantry (Gagandilan) Brigade, told the Inquirer that unidentified gunmen ambushed the military convoy at 7:45 a.m. in Sitio (subvillage) Bauno Dagao, Barangay Badja, wounding 10 soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB) and one member of the Civilian Armed Auxiliary Unit.

The convoy, led by 45IB commander Lt. Col. Franco Baylon, was traveling from Tipo-Tipo toward Lamitan City aboard three KM450 military utility trucks and three civilian vehicles when the gunmen opened fire.

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READ: 2 soldiers killed, 1 wounded in Basilan ambush

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The military convoy fired back at the attackers, triggering a two-minute gun battle, Sales said, citing a report from Baylon.

Three severely wounded troops were immediately airlifted by a Philippine Air Force Black Hawk helicopter to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City for emergency medical treatment.

READ: 5 soldiers hurt in Basilan ambush

“The brigade immediately deployed appropriate response and security measures and coordinated with concerned units and authorities,” the 1101st Infantry Brigade said in a statement. 

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Probe under way

It added: “An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.”

The Joint Task Force Orion also confirmed the deployment of reinforcements to secure the area and prevent further threats to nearby communities. 

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“Our troops remain vigilant and committed to fulfilling their duty of protecting the people of Basilan and preserving the peace and security that communities and stakeholders have worked hard to achieve,” JTF Orion stated, appealing to the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information on social media. 

Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman strongly condemned the ambush and urged security forces to pursue the unidentified perpetrators “firmly but with restraint” to protect innocent civilians. 

“We pray for the swift recovery of the soldiers wounded in the incident and stand with their families,” Hataman said in a statement. 

The governor called on the residents to remain calm and asked for their help for the arrest of the suspects. 

“Basilan has worked too hard for peace to allow this incident to drag us back into fear and violence,” Hataman emphasized. “Let us remain calm, vigilant, and united, and let the rule of law prevail.”

Tipo-Tipo Mayor Arcam Istarul denounced the attack, calling it a “treacherous ambush” against government forces serving the region. 

“This violent act against our soldiers, who are fulfilling their duty to protect peace and security, has no place in our communities,” Istarul said in a separate statement. 

He added: “Any attack against those who serve to protect our communities is an attack against peace and security itself.”

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Local authorities and military officials urged residents to stay vigilant while law enforcement agencies conduct a joint investigation to track down the perpetrators. /cb