THE Abu Sayyaf bandits staged an ambush that resulted in the death of a soldier and two militiamen in the hinterlands of Basilan province, military officials said Thursday, April 11.
Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the ambush occurred around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at Sitio Talisay in Upper Benembengan village, Sumisip, Basilan.
Besana did not release the identities of the three slain government troops except to say that one of them was a soldier and the other two were militiaman assigned in Talisay detachment.
He said the three were aboard on two motorcycles on the way to buy supplies for the Talisay detachment when the bandits staged the ambush.
They died instantaneously, the military official added.
Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said the ambush was a diversionary move of the bandits as they continue to evade the advancing troops.
Dela Vega said the ambush was a clear manifestation that the Abu Sayyaf bandits are incapable of confronting the troops, who are conducting intensified operations in Basilan province.
“They are resorting to diversionary tactics to disrupt the peaceful situation in the province (of Basilan),” Dela Vega said.
“We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of our valiant troops,” Dela Vega said as he assured that full assistance will be provided to the families of the slain troops. (SunStar Philippines)