3 hurt as Basilan village harassed by armed men, say Westmincom, bishop

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military reported that three were hurt when armed men harassed a community in Canas village, Maluso town, Basilan province, on Saturday.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, the Western Mindanao Command spokesman, confirmed the reports earlier received by the Philippine Daily Inquirer from Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, about the harassment, but he said it happened at 1:30 p.m. not in the morning as initially gathered by Jumoad.

Cabangbang said three persons were injured by landmines, which had just been planted by unidentified armed men.

He said troops from the 4th Special Forces Batallion were conducting patrol in Canas when they encountered 30 armed men. As troops pursued the armed men, they hit a landmine.

One enlisted personnel and two members of the local paramilitary units were injured.

Cabangbang said the injured were airlifted at 2:15 p.m., using two Huey (UH-1H) helicopters, to the Claret high school in Maluso.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad reported earlier on Saturday that armed men harassed a community in Canas village, Maluso town in Basilan province, on Saturday morning.

“I received reports but am still waiting for developments. I was told the harassment took place this morning.  Helicopters have been hovering sometime around 11 a.m.,” Jumoad said.