Patikul (outlined in red) in Sulu (Image from Google Maps)
MANILA, Philippines — Three mortar rounds exploded near the venue of a medical mission secured by military troops in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday morning, the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) reported.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a Westmincom spokesperson, said around 11:30 a.m. three 60-mm mortar rounds exploded near a medical mission center conducted by the 6th Special Forces Battalion together with representatives of various government agencies and non-government organizations of Sulu.
The activities were being conducted at the Tanum Elementary School in Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu, intended to deliver basic services to around 2,000 “resident beneficiaries” coming from Barangay Tanum, Sandah, Patikul Higad and Kadday Mampallam of Patikul, Sulu.
Military troops suspected that the mortar rounds have been fired 500 meters away by Abu Sayyaf Group members located east of the medical mission site.
“The mortar rounds are estimated by troops to have been fired 500 meters away, from east direction, of the activity venue and believed to be initiated by the Abu Sayyaf Groups in the area intended to intimidate the populace from participating in the said initiative,” Besana said in a statement.
There were no casualties reported from the blast while troops of Joint Task Force of Sulu are still pursuing “the perpetrators of the shelling.”
Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel de la Vega condemned the incident as it disrupted the medical mission for the benefit of Sulu residents.
“We strongly condemn this terroristic act resulting in the disruption of basic services delivery to the people,” De la Vega said.
“They bring nothing but destruction that greatly retards achievement of peace and development in Sulu. This is another reason why we have to unite to put end to this menace in our society,” Dela Vega added. –With a report from Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
/jpv /atm