Basilan police chief unhurt, 2 escorts killed in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – The Basilan police director escaped unhurt but two of his police escorts were killed when they were ambushed by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in Sumisip town Wednesday afternoon.

One of the militants was killed during the ensuing firefight, police said.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Mendoza, Basilan police director, said they were on their way back to Isabela City on a convoy when they saw a group of armed men in Barangay Bakong, prompting them to verify their presence.

“When we check on them we were instead fired upon. I managed to roll on my side for cover as the volley of fire hit our direction,” he said.

“Two of my men unfortunately died from the attack but we managed to retaliate and engage the enemies, killed one of them and inflicted undetermined casualties,” he added.

Mendoza said based on their intelligence information, the armed men are believed to be Abu Sayyaf militants supporting a village leader in the area.

He said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was preparing charges of murder, frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms against the armed men.

In another development, a powerful explosion rocked a village east of Zambonga City when an improvised bomb exploded along the highway, some 50 meters away from a church, Wednesday night, police said.

Ordnance experts said the bomb was placed in a garbage bin along the Maria Clara Lobregat Highway in Barangay Putik.

Traffic was stalled for more than an hour as bomb experts had to detonate another bomb disruptor just to avoid a secondary explosion.