3 soldiers killed, 6 wounded in Sulu blast

MANILA, Philippines—Three military personnel, including two Army junior officers, were killed and six were wounded in a landmine blast believed to be set off by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Wednesday.

A military report said that the soldiers of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were ambushed in Pansul and Pangalayahan, Patikul, past 1 p.m., Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla said.

The troops aboard two KM450 and one M35 truck carriers were conducting a resupply and securing a road project when they were ambushed.

The fatalities were two Army lieutenants and a sergeant.

“This is a very sad development. This is news that we are not always glad to receive. We have had successes but have had also losses and having this losses, it’s saddening on the part of the Armed Forces,” Padilla said.

The incident happened on the same day AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. visited Sulu amid its all-out offensives there.