Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Police colonel, two others killed in ambush in southern Philippines (8:45 p.m.)
MANILA -- A police colonel and two of his men were killed in an ambush Tuesday in the volatile southern Philippines after leading an operation against suspected car thieves, police said.
Superintendent Ferdinand Tiqui, police traffic chief of an autonomous Muslim region in the south, and the two policemen died on the spot after some 20 gunmen emerged from both sides of the highway and fired at their cars as they passed southern Lanao del Sur province's Tugaya town.
Senior Inspector Philip Tumaklas, Tiqui's deputy, said three other persons were wounded, including a woman who hitched a ride with Tiqui's escorts in another vehicle.
Tiqui and the two other policemen killed were riding in the lead vehicle, which received the first volley of fire.
Policemen in the second car were able to fire back but two were wounded.
Tumaklas said the patrol was returning from an operation against a suspected gang of car thieves when the gunmen opened fire.
No other details were available.
Tumaklas said the case is still under investigation but he suspects the car thieves of being behind the ambush.
Muslim separatist rebels, who operate in the area, denied involvement. (AP)
(April 12, 2005 issue)
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