A group of armed men led by a barangay security officer ambushed and killed a soldier and two government militiamen in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.
A report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City stated that a civilian was the fourth fatality as he was also hit during the gun attack in Barangay Bohe Lebbung in Tipo-Tipo town at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday.
The victims were identified as Private First Class Mark Anthony Monte, Sony Akkay and Alibasa Antaas who were both militiamen, and civilian Kog Oging. Two other victims were wounded, one of them identified as Randy Ibbung.
Prior to the incident, Monte reportedly confronted Karim Manisan and police said this could be the reason behind the attack. Manisan is a barangay security officer and a relative of a barangay captain.
When Monte and the militiamen were on their way back to their outposts, the group led by Manisan reportedly started shooting them.
The cadaver of Monte was recovered by the Army troopers while that of the three other fatalities were claimed by their relatives.
The local police and the military are now conducting follow-up operations against the suspects. (Aaron Recuenco)
