5 soldiers hurt in Basilan ambush

INQUIRER FILES

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Five soldiers were wounded when unidentified armed men ambushed a military vehicle at Sitio Valentine, Barangay Tipo-Tipo Proper, Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan on Tuesday.

A report from the Al Barka town police said at least 20 unidentified armed men fired upon the KM 450 military truck, hitting Private First Class Andy Tolentino, Private Marlon Bucod, 1st Lieutenant Renante Binoloc, Private First Class Rodel Carpio and Private First Class Darren Carangian.

READ: Armed group fires on military vehicle in Basilan; 2 soldiers wounded

Tolentino sustained gunshot wounds on his right lower leg and on his right upper leg; Bucod sustained a wound on his right butt while Binoloc, Carpio, and Carangian sustained minor injuries.

Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Army Brigade, said the wounded soldiers were members of the 45th Infantry Battalion, who just came from a medical outreach program when attacked.

“Our troops are now okay after being checked by medical practitioners. We are now conducting pursuit operations against the perpetrators jointly with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the area,” Luzon said.

Luzon, however, said those who attacked the soldiers were are not members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, kidnap-for-ransom or even private armed groups.

The military truck, however, incurred damages at the back side and front portion.

Three other soldiers on board were luckily unharmed.