Año commends troops killed in Lamitan City

(SunStar file photo)
(SunStar file photo)

INTERIOR and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año commended the troops who were killed during the Lamitan City blast last Tuesday, July 31, for averting a bigger accident which may have victimized more innocent people by sacrificing their own lives.

“On behalf of the DILG Family, I salute the sacrifice and heroism of our troops who laid down their lives in the fulfillment of their avowed duties of serving and protecting families and properties,” Año said.

He also condemned the violent incident.

Army Corporal Samad Jumah and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary personnel Adzlan Abdula, Muid Manda, Titing Omar, Hermilito Gapo Jr. and Jerry Inso who were among the 10 people who were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) placed inside a van which they waylaid for inspection in a checkpoint suddenly exploded.

The civilians who were killed were Hadja Radia Manda, Omar's wife and their 10-year-old son Garry, and Rosa Inso and Rosida Titing who were both relatives of the killed CAFGU personnel.

Año said said the van was then on its way to the town proper.

"The vigilance, courage, and sacrifices of government troops averted a much bigger incident which could have victimized a great number of innocent civilians had the vehicle reached the city proper," he said.

Earlier, Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay said an event was set in the city hall when the explosion happened.

Año also thanked the various stakeholders especially the Local Government Units for their cooperation with the DILG-PNP and for alerting government forces when terrorist groups enter their areas.

The military said they have received an information regarding a van allegedly carrying explosives which prompted them to conduct a checkpoint in the area.

Año, however, assured the family of the victims that the PNP and the AFP is continuously investigating the incident to determine what kind of bomb was used, and other details to help establish the motive of the bombing, including the identity of the driver,

He said the two agencies were also on alert to avoid any similar incident from happening again. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)

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