Army captain killed in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  –  An Army captain was killed when government troops encountered Abu Sayyaf militants late Saturday afternoon in Lantawan, Basilan, the military here said yesterday.

A report to the military headquarters here said elements of the 14th Special Forces Company were on pursuit operation against an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf men in Barangay Calugusan that subsequently sparked a firefight at sitio Basak Tiki about 6:20 p.m.

The Western Mindanao Command declined to provide details on the incident that left Capt. Mark Gamboa dead.

He said Abu Sayyaf militants under a certain Commander Jek suffered heavy casualties.

The remains of the slain army official was retrieved after the firefight and taken to a funeral in this city.