A MILITIAMAN died while four others escaped unscathed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf bandits on New Year’s Day in the province of Basilan, the military said Thursday, January 2.

Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, identified the slain militiaman as Jemar Jalil, who was hit in the head and thigh in an ambush that took place around 9:57 a.m. Wednesday at Sitio Pos Agi in Dugaa Village, Tuburan, Basilan.

Encinas said Jalil was rushed to Lamitan District Hospital and later transferred to Camp Navarro General Hospital of Westmincom, where he expired while under medication.

He said Jalil and his four companions were onboard two motorcycles traveling from the patrol base in Dugaa to Tablas Usew Village, Tuburan, when around seven Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed them.

Encinas said a firefight ensued as the militiamen managed to seek cover and return fire while the bandits fled upon sensing the arrival of more men from Dugaa patrol base.

He said the militiamen identified the Abu Sayyaf bandits involved in the ambush as followers of Indanan Abdullah, the leader of Abu Sayyaf-Tuburan Cell.

He added that one of the seven rebels involved in the ambush was identified by the militiamen as Saksak Jovel, the half-brother of Abdullah. (SunStar Zamboanga)