TWO employees of a plywood firm were killed while three others were wounded in an ambush by lawless elements in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Sunday, March 3.

Police Brigadier General Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Zamboanga Peninsula director, disclosed the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 1, at Sitio Labok in the village of Pisa Itom, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Licup identified the fatalities as Raymond Basa, 29, driver of a hauler truck; and Ian Calunsag, a payloader operator. Both are employees of the Sirawai Plywood and Lumber Corporation of Dacon Group of Company.

Wounded were Jeriel Pillar, 29, security escort; Gaspar Hibaya, 28; and, acertain Jackie, 23. All residents of the village of San Nicolas, Sirawai.

Licup said investigation showed the victims were aboard a hauler truck when ambushed by a group of bandits.

He said the victims were rushed but Basa and Calunsag failed to reach alive at the Sirawai Rural Health Unit.

He said recovered at the crime scene were several empty shells of high-powered firearms of assorted caliber and blue plastic boots.

He said troops are tracking down the suspected behind the ambush incident. (SunStar Philippines)