LOCAL EXCS:
Attack on Basilan school ‘test mission for young bandits’
By Julie Alipala
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 23:38:00 07/31/2008
Filed Under: Acts of terror
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- Local officials in Basilan said on Thursday that an attack by armed men on the Tipo-tipo National High School, on Tuesday, could have been a "test mission for young bandits" as most of the assailants looked to be in their teens.
Ungkaya Pukan mayor Joel Maturan said he received information that the armed men were very young.
Maturan said he was informed by an "asset" that one of the armed men was hurt, while another, a 16-year-old boy identified only as Tiayun, was killed.
Albarkah Mayor Karam Jakilan said the attack "could be a test mission for the young bandits." Jakilan said the police and Marines have been on high alert "because they (bandits) could use our town when they escape from pursuing soldiers."
Classes in schools in Tipo-tipo town in Basilan have been suspended following Tuesday's attack on the high school.
Tipo-tipo mayor Tong Istarul said around 40 armed men attacked the Tipo-tipo National High School, apparently to abduct teachers and students.
"We are fortunate because the teachers and students were on alert and they immediately reported the attack to the police, so we sought support from the Marines," Istarul said.
Colonel Ramon Mabalot, commander of the 10th Marine Battalion based in Tipo-tipo, said the teachers and students scampered to safety when they saw the armed men.
Mabalot said the armed men, who wore bonnets, stormed the school passing through the backdoor around 11 a.m.
Marines soldiers pursued the armed men until they reached a rubber plantation, about a kilometer away from the school, where a firefight erupted.
Mabalot said they were sure two of the armed men were killed, "although we don't have the bodies."
Istarul said classes in the town's three public schools have been suspended until next Monday.
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