A MAN was killed while two army soldiers were wounded after government security forces encountered an armed group at a checkpoint in Barangays Bagacay and Cogon in Ozamiz City over the weekend.
Killed was alias Nasi while seven companions were arrested. Army Sergeant Julian Ysik and Sergeant Jade Lomar, both members of the 10th Infantry Battalion (10IB) were also wounded.
Arrested were Rowen Lozano, 36, resident of Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental; Ricky Mag-Abo, 23, of Barangay Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte; Charny Sumibay, 28, resident of Barangay Dawa, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur; Johnny Bergado, 21, of Barangay Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte; Wilfredo Pepito, 25, resident of Barangay Santo Nino, Butuan City; Noel Rodrigo,26, resident of Barangay Guimad, Ozamis City; and Emiliano Abadan, 34, resident of Barangay Maranding, Lala Lanao del Norte.
Investigation disclosed that members of 10IB and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of Misamis Occidental were fired upon by undetermined number of armed men on board five motorcycles while they were conducting security checkpoint in Barangay Bagacay, early Sunday.
Police said the armed men were believed to be members of Guerilla Front Sendong.
Three suspects were neutralized after authorities returned fire in Barangay Bagacay. The four others were arrested in Barangay Cogon where Alias Nasi was killed.
The troops recovered M16 rifle, four .45 caliber pistol, magazines, ammunition, seven fragmentation grenade, improvised explosive-device component, cash, and their motorcycles.
The suspects were now in the custody of the 10th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Burgos, Oroquieta City.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao director Brigadier General Rafael Santiago Jr. urged the community to support and help authorities in curbing criminality and terrorism.
Santiago also lauded the operating troops for their service and sacrifice to support the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).
“Their service is a living proof that the PNP and Army had produced a lot of heroes every day and their accomplishment is worth recognizing," Santiago said.
“We will show our gladness for their heroic action by recognizing them in one of our traditional awarding ceremony," he added.