By JONG CADION
PAGADIAN CITY (July 31, 2018) – At leasr ten were killed including five soldiers in an
Improvised Explosive Device exploded in Lamitan City, Basilan at 5:50 - this
morning, military official said.
LTC Gerry Besana,
WexMinCom spokesperson disclosed that the troops of the 9th Scout Ranger
Company led by Lieutenant Rodriguez acted upon a report of the presence of a white
van suspected to be bearing an Improvised Explosive Device near the Magwakit
Detachment in Barangay Colonia, Lamitan City, Basilan Province.
While
troops were conducting ocular inspection, the van suddenly exploded which
resulted to the death of one (1) soldier and four (4) CAFGUs, and wounding of 2
other CAFGUs, Besana said.
Besana
added that as of 12noon, casualties has increased to 10 killed including a
soldier, 5 CAFGUs, and 4 civiliansidentified as: Corporal Samad M. Jumah, the
detachment commander; members of the Civilian Active Auxillary namely,MuidManda,
AdzlanAbdula, Titing Omar, HermilitoGapo, Jr., and Jerry Inso who died in the
hospital; and civilians, HadjiRadiaManda (female), Garry Omar (child), Rosa
Inso (female), and RosidaTiting (female).One more CAFGU, 6 soldiers including 1
officer and five enlisted personnel from the 9th Scout Ranger Company, and one
civilian were wounded in the incident.
They were 1st
Lieutenant Rojean Rodriguez, Corporal Romeo Tabon Jr., Sergeant RenanteEscañan,
Sergeant Mike Elumba, Private First Class Jeffrey Martecio, Private First Class
Frias, CAA Wilbert Garcia, and Angelina Inso (female), he said.
Civilians
killed and wounded were identified as dependents of the CAFGUs.
Further investigation
is now being conducted to identify the perpetrator and motive of the incident.
Security
has been tightened in Lamitan and other highly populated areas.
Lieutenant
General Arnel B. Dela Vega, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, committed
to exhaust every available resource under his disposal to identify the
perpetrators in the soonest possible time so that the people of Basilan will
have the peace that they truly deserve.
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