A SOLDIER was killed while seven others were wounded in an ambush perpetrated by still unidentified men in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan on Saturday, August 12, 2023.
In a statement, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said more or less 10 “unidentified lawless elements” ambushed troops from the Alpha Company of the 64th Infantry Battalion who were conducting ocular inspection ahead of an outreach program together with Vice Mayor Ahmadin Baharim of Ungkaya Pukan in Barangay Ulitan at 3:45 p.m.
The troops fought back, leading to a short encounter that killed one soldier, while seven others, including one policeman, were wounded.
“This act is a clear manifestation of the perpetrators' disrespect to their local government officials, the military, and their fellow Basileños, hence, we will not stop until these heartless individuals are identified and neutralized,” the Wesmincom said.
“Rest assured that this incident will not be tolerated and we will work doubly to disallow the malefactors to perpetrate such incident,” it added. (SunStar Philippines)