A SOLDIER was killed in a firefight against lawless elements in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military said Sunday, January 20.
Colonel Bagnus Gaerlan, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the firefight happened on Saturday, January 19, in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.
Bagnus said the joint military and police forces were serving a warrant of arrest against Basiran Ahil Mudja when a firefight ensued.
He said the firefight lasted for about 15 minutes that resulted to the injury of a soldier, whose identity was withheld pending notification to the next of kin.
The military official said the soldier was airlifted but failed to reach Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city alive.
He said Mudja has two standing warrants of arrest, one for murder and another attempted murder case.
“Pursuit operation has been conducted to arrest and neutralize the armed group who also suffered casualties based on the bloodstains left in the encounter site,” Gaerlan said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of our hero soldier. He died protecting the community in pursuit of peace and prosperity,” said Major General Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander. (SunStar Philippines)