Police General Rommel Francisco Dayleg Marbil spoke with PMSgt Mohammad Lee Aharul while recuperating in a private hospital in Zamboanga City. | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY PNP PRO9
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos paid a visit to three wounded members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) at the Ciudad Medical Center on Thursday morning.
“We stand before you with heavy hearts but resolute spirits as we visit our brave SAF troopers here in Zamboanga City who were wounded during the recent operation in Tandubas municipality, province of Tawi-Tawi,” Abalos said after his brief talk with the family members inside the hospital.
The three were wounded in a clash with armed men in Tandubas last Tuesday afternoon while serving 21 arrest warrants against a certain Udon Hasim, also known as Utoh and Kah, a former member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group under Idang Susukan and Alhabsy Misaya.
On Thursday morning, Patrolman Ian Valdez, a newbie in the police force, died while being treated in a private hospital here.
Valdez and colleagues Police Master Sergeants Alberto Olbis and Mohammad Lee Aharul were seriously wounded in the clash.
Olbis and Aharul are set to be airlifted to Manila for further medical attention.
All three are natives of Jolo, Sulu.
DILG Benhur Abalos assured PMSgt Alberto Olbis that all the medical requirements are shouldered by the government during his hospital visit on Thursday, May 30. | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY PNP PRO9
Hasim is accused of being involved in heinous crimes including the ambush in Barangay Mabahay, Talipao, Sulu, and illicit drug trafficking and arms smuggling, Abalos said.
The gunfight also led to the death of Hasim, and the seizure of suspected meth, initially estimated to value P734,000, and several weapons and ammunition.
Brigadier General Mark Pespes, SAF chief, said the main target of the operation was Hasim, it was just unfortunate that they incurred casualties.
Apart from the SAF’S 51st Special Action Company, the operation was jointly carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Tawi-Tawi field unit, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, Philippine Coast Guard, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Maritime Group Special Unit, Provincial Intelligence Unit of Sulu Provincial Police Office, and the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office.
PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil, who was with Abalos, assured that operating troopers were wearing protective gear during the operation.
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“Our troopers have vulnerable parts na di kaya ng bulletproof vests. The guy who died was hit in the arm, and the two others were hit in areas not covered by bulletproof. No matter how prepared, di natin maiwasan na may matatamaan and this guy na tinamaan at namatay, he fought hard,” Marbil explained.
“Pag may namamatay, we don’t take it lightly, we continue conducting the investigation,” Marbil assured.
A medal for bravery was pinned on each policeman.