Fisherman killed as US vessel hits fishing boat in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—A fisherman was killed when an American vessel hit a small fishing boat in Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan on Wednesday evening.

Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said he felt bad about the incident but refused to give details of the incident until the completion of the police investigation.

Sakalahul, however, said he would try to reach out to the American forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to demand an explanation.

Col. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, would not answer questions raised by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Former Lantawan town Mayor Tahira Ismael informed reporters that a fisherman identified as Ahban Juhurin died at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, when a vessel with US forces onboard hit his fishing boat off the waters of Hadji Muhtamad town.