Wounded man held at port

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – A man suspected to have escaped from an encounter in Basilan was arrested upon arrival at a port in this city on Thursday.

Lt. Senior Grade Paul Gonzales, Zamboanga Coast Guard station officer-in-charge, identified the man as Gabril Pataraza, 23, a resident of Barangay Langil, Mohammad Ajul.

Pataraza arrived with two women at around 5:30 p.m. His companions presented his identification card, but Gonzales said they are checking how he got his injuries.  Pataraza was taken to a hospital where he is under tight security.

Gonzales said the arrest of persons with suspicious injuries is part of tightened security they are implementing at various ports.

The military said they are also monitoring hospitals for Maute militants and other terrorists wounded in clashes with government troops.