Gov’t forces nab gunman in ambush of Marine troops in Lanao Sur

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY — Police, backed by Marine troops, on Tuesday arrested a man believed behind the ambush on Sunday night of Marine soldiers in Picong, Lanao del Sur.

Lieutenant Colonel Serge Ronquillo, commander of the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-2), confirmed that government forces arrested Jamal Balindong Pumbaya, alias Bolkia, earlier pointed by witnesses as the man who fired at the troops.

Lieutenant Elica Honduna, MBLT-2 Civil Military Operations head, said the suspect, who was unarmed, did not resist arrest.

A group of Marines onboard the KM450 military vehicle was patroling Picong when Pumbaya, with an assault rifle, fired at the troops and fled.

The Marines suffered injuries on their legs and feet.

Pumbaya is now detained at the Picong police jail, awaiting charges of multiple frustrated murders and illegal possession of firearms.

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