Soldier, militiaman slain in Sayyaf attacks

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An Army soldier and a militiaman died in separate attacks by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan on Wednesday.

Pvt. First Class Archie Tiwan, head of a military detachment in Barangay Dugaain, and his men were patrolling the area when they were waylaid at about 4 p.m. A member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) was also wounded in the attack.

In Maluso town, CAFGU member Jomad Aujalin was shot in Barangay Fuente, at around 6:45 p.m. He died while being treated in a hospital.

Meanwhile, Abu Sayyaf men Merson Arak Garim and his brother Rustom were arrested in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi. 

Brig. Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr., Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi commander, said personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 launched the operation in response to reports that several armed men were extorting money and goods from fishermen and coconut farmers in Barangay Batu-Batu.

Parcon said they are checking if the suspects were responsible for the kidnapping of birdwatchers Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra and Dutch Ewold Horn in 2012. Vinciguerra escaped while Horn remains in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.