(UPDATED) At least five persons, including three soldiers, were killed while nine others were wounded in two explosions that rocked a military camp in Sitio Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu yesterday.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Philippine Army spokesperson, said three soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team and two civilians were killed on the spot in the twin explosions at around 12 p.m.
The identities of the fatalities have yet to be confirmed pending notice to their families.
The incident was described by Major Arvin Encinas, newly designated spokesperson of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, as a “terroristic act.”
A report from the Sulu Provincial Police Office said that members of the Army 1BCT were conducting checkpoint operations when they flagged down a vehicle boarded by unidentified men believed to be members of a lawless armed group.
“Initial information gathered in the area revealed that while 1BCT, PA personnel were conducting checkpoint in the area, they stopped a vehicle boarded by lawless armed group. An explosion suddenly transpired that resulted to an armed encounter,” police said.
“As of this report, the firefight has stopped and the PNP personnel are conducting blocking operations in Sitio Tanjung, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan,” it added.
Police noted that “two loud explosions” occurred in the area.
Encinas said a follow-up investigation was conducted to determine what type of explosive was used by the perpetrators.
He added that the military has yet to determine the group behind the incident, although he noted that the terror Abu Sayyaf Group is the most likely to do it given its reputation in the area.
“Itong insidente talagang masasabi nating terroristic act, talaga pong hindi po makatao at makatarungan considering itong gawain ay matagal nang ginagawa ng ASG,” he stated in a radio interview over DZBB.
Zagala condemned the incident which he said was “meant to disrupt the intensified security operations” in Sulu.
“We condemn this atrocity which cost the lives of our soldiers whose foremost job is to promote peace in the island. Despite this unfortunate incident, these criminals have failed to deter our troops’ resolve and operational verve. We vow to respond with formidable resolve,” Zagala said.
“Furthermore, the entire Philippine Army, along with the stakeholders in the area, fully supports the 1st Brigade Combat Team in its intensified pursuit to crush these terror groups. We assure the Filipino people that we are mobilizing all our capabilities and resources in our effort to help the people of the island of Sulu’s quest for peace and development,” he added. (Martin Sadongdong)
