ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops have launched pursuit operation against members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) involved in an ambush that resulted to the death of a soldier and injured two others in Basilan province.
The ambush took place at around 6:20 a.m. Monday in Barangay Badja, Tio-Tipo, Basilan province, according to the police.
The Basilan police disclosed the troops were checking the reported presence of an improvised explosive device (IED) when the Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed them.
The troops, despite in the disadvantage position, returned fire prompting the Abu Sayyaf bandits to flee towards Barangay Kamamburingan, Ungkaya Pukan.
The pursuit operation is jointly being conducted by soldiers, policemen and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).
The police did not release the identities of the slain and wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion.
Security patrol is also being conducted in the nearby towns of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan. (PNA)