Three soldiers who were on their way to market to buy food supply for their comrades were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Lanao del Norte on Thursday.
The ambush also claimed the life of a civilian who was just passing the area in the boundary of Poona Piagapo and Pantao Ragat.
The slain soldiers were identified as Private First Class Albert Soriano, Corporal Bryan Binayug, and Corporal Albert Saura, all members of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion stationed at Tangclao detachment in Poona Piagapo town.
Meanwhile, the military has yet to release the identity of the lone civilian casualty.
A military report reaching Camp Aguinaldo said the soldiers were aboard a motorcycle and preparing to go to a community market when they were waylaid by an undetermined number of gunmen at around 8:45 a.m.
The soldiers and the civilian died on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshots in their bodies, the report said.
Other bystanders immediately sought assistance from village officials who informed the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion about the shooting incident.
“[The] troops immediately responded and proceeded to the area to validate the information. Upon arrival, the responding team discovered four bodies with gunshot wounds,” said Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).
Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Dulay, commander of the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said he immediately ordered a hot pursuit operation against the suspects.
The military is still facing a blank wall as to the motive behind the ambush.
