Riding in tandem killed 3 Soldiers in Basilan

LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN – Three soldiers of the Alpha Company under the 32^nd Infantry Battalion (32IB) while traversing the Basilan National highway circumferential road on board two motorcycles of was shot by four unidentified gunmen riding in tandem.

Police initial investigation disclosed, the incident was happened on Saturday late afternoon of October 13, 2012 at the vicinity Brgy. Baas, Lamitan City when the suspects were about to overtake and fired at them with a caliber 45 pistols and fled towards unknown direction.

The following victims identified as Cpl. Adzhar A. Angkaya, Sgt. Ronald S. Damago and Pfc Radzmer A. Jasim assigned at Bohe Bessey, a report from Lamitan City police Chief Inspector Kenneth Balisang.

The three victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were immediately rushed by responding civilians to the St. Peter Hospital of the same City but were pronounced dead on arrival.

Accordingly, the 3 soldiers left their detachment in Sitio Mellec, Brgy. Bohebessey to buy some foodstuff downtown.  

Immediately the elements from Bravo Company of said Battalion and the local city police office responded to the area and jointly launched hot pursuit operations on the perpetrators.

32^nd IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Johnson Jemar D. Aseron said, the three soldiers were active operators of peace and development operations in the area. “We will be coordinating fully with the local PNP to help them in their investigation for the early arrest of the suspects”. Lt. Col Aseron added.

 

The Army’s Premier ID Chief Maj. General Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, was saddened by the death of the three dedicated soldiers who were at the forefront of peace at that part and for the people of Basilan. “Even as we commit our lives to serve and secure our people, our safety and security in the field must also be our paramount concern so we can pursue peace, we must stay vigilant in our every step.” MGen. Cruz disclosed.