Marine killed in Abu Sayyaf ambush in Sulu

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A member of the Philippine Marines was killed and three others were wounded in an ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Tuesday morning.

The ambush took place after the Marines attended a tree planting activity with Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) and Jaycees in Bid village in Parang at 10:30 a.m., said Colonel Johriel Jose Cenabre of the 2nd Marine Brigade.

The military and civilians were on a convoy when the incident happened. It was composed of three M35 trucks, one V150 tank, one KM450 truck and two civilian vehicles. They were on their way back to Parang Elementary School.

“There were no casualties on the civilian side,” he said, adding that he could not say how many casualties on the ASG side.

The clashes raged for about 30 minutes. The casualties were airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital for medical treatment.

Cenabre said the incident could be attributed to the retaliatory actions of the ASG after government troops killed six rebels in Talipao last Feb. 8.

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