Troops kill 2 bandits, capture 1

THE combined forces of policemen and militiamen have killed two alleged bandits and captured another, following a firefight in the hinterlands of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Senior Superintendent Jonathan Perez, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the firefight took place around 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sitio Mandi, Tigbanuang village, Tungawan town.

Perez identified the slain bandits as Absirin Unding and Muksirin Unding. The captured was identified as Hakkin Jadji Balanda.

Perez said the clash erupted when the police and militia forces chanced upon a group of bandits during a foot patrol in Sitio Mandi, Tigbanuang.

Perez said firefight lasted for about 10 minutes and some of the bandits fled to different directions.

No one among the government forces were either killed or wounded during the encounter, Perez said, adding that they have recovered from the possession of the slain bandits two caliber .45 pistols with ammunition.

The remains of the slain bandits were turned over to the village officials for proper disposition while Balanda was taken to the hospital for treatment, he added.

The bandits were responsible in atrocities like extortion, robbery and holdups, he said.

Meanwhile, Perez said policemen manning an outpost along the national highway of Tigbanuang have repulsed a group of bandits who staged an attack around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The attackers numbering to around seven bandits, led by Commander Yacub Iyong alias Commander Bote and Pablo, fled as the policemen stood path on their position and outfought them, Perez said.

The motive of the attack was retaliation to the death of the two bandits, said Perez.