SIX people, including a militiaman, were killed while a child was wounded following a clash with a group of unidentified gunmen in a remote area in Zamboanga del Norte, the police said Saturday, September 01, 2018.

Chief Superintendent Edwin De Ocampo, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula deputy director for administration, said the clash happened at 6:05 p.m. Friday in the coastal village of Piacan in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

De Ocampo said the clash ensued while the militiamen were checking the reported arrival of five unidentified gunmen, clad in camouflage uniforms, at the shore Piacan village.

He said the clash resulted to the death of the following: Amsid Callun, a militiaman; Absar Gumba; Kabiran Ginsing; Saddam Tahir; Jaayri Lumihig; and Muslimin Adan.

The police official said wounded was Jering Carbi, a minor but whose age was not immediately known.

He said the gunmen seized a couple, Rufo Roda, also a militiaman, and his wife, Helen, and used them as human shields as they escaped.

The gunmen boarded on motorboats and sped to the high seas tagging along the Roda couple, De Ocampo added.

He said the police forces of Zamboanga del Norte in coordination with the military authorities have launched a search to track down the whereabouts of the couple. (SunStar Philippines)