Abu attempt to seize doctor foiled

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Five persons, including a doctor and her security personnel, were wounded in a shootout with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits believed out to kidnap the woman in Jolo, Sulu on Friday.

The wounded were identified as Dr. Marian Lao, Marine officers Cpl. Omar Somcio and Pfc. Marlon Banayag, Senior Police Officer 4 Tubadjir Mandangan and civilian Radem Maman.

Investigation showed three identified armed men barged into Lao’s clinic in Barangay San Raymundo at around 2:40 p.m.

Sulu police Senior Superintendent Wilfredo Cayat said the armed men, who were surprised to find the Marine officers in the clinic, shot at the troopers, triggering a firefight.

Mandangan, who was on his way to work, responded to the incident but was shot by the suspects.  A stray bullet hit Maman.

Cayat said the armed men managed to escape. He said it could not be determined if any of the suspects was wounded in the shootout.

Banayag and Somcio were initially taken to the Trauma Station Hospital at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-Bus, and Lao, Mandangan and Maman to the Sulu Provincial Hospital for treatment. 

Except for Maman, the Philippine Air Force later airlifted the four to a hospital in this city. 

Cayat said they have yet to determine who among Lao and the Marine troopers was the target of the suspects.

A source from the military disclosed that the armed men were followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Idang Susukan.

The source said Lao has been receiving threats and the troopers were tasked to secure her. 

He expressed belief the bandits wanted the doctor for their wounded comrades.

Recently, government security forces overran a camp of Abu Sayyaf bandits following a firefight in the jungles of Maimbung.