10 wounded in Basilan ambush

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Nine Philippine Army personnel and one civilian auxiliary were wounded after their convoy was ambushed by unidentified assailants in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on Monday morning, according to the military.

In a statement, the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Division (11ID) said the ambush occurred at 7:45 a.m. as personnel of its 45th Infantry Battalion were traveling from Tipo-Tipo to Lamitan City.

The convoy, led by 45th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Franco Baylon, consisted of three KM450 trucks and three civilian vehicles.

It was passing through Sitio Bauno Dagao in Barangay Badja when the attackers allegedly opened fire.

Nine Army personnel and one Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) were injured in the attack, according to the military.

Among those wounded were two soldiers who sustained gunshot wounds to the head, while others suffered gunshot wounds to the legs, hip, abdomen, back, finger, and other parts of the body. Two personnel also sustained shrapnel wounds.

The wounded personnel were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

Reinforcements were also deployed to secure the area and prevent further attacks against government forces and nearby communities.

“The JTF Orion condemns this act of violence,” the military said.

“We assure the public that appropriate security measures are being undertaken in coordination with concerned units and authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and hold those responsible accountable,” it added.

In its initial assessment, the military said the attack was believed to have been carried out as retaliation by an armed faction under Saddam Siddick.

The military linked the ambush to a recent operation in Barangay Baimbing in Lamitan City, where an armed encounter occurred and Siddick's wife, identified as Nermalyn Salapuddin Musa, was killed.

The JTF Orion urged the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while security operations and the investigation are ongoing. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News