- The Philippine Army confirms that two civilians were killed during a raid in Lamitan City
- The 13th SRC launched the raid to support the Lamitan Police’s operations against the ASG
- The village chief of Bohe Ibu denies the presence of ASG in the area; saying that the soldiers merely fired indiscriminately at the residents
The Philippine Army (PA) has confirmed that two civilian women have been killed in Lamitan City, Basilan after being hit by stray bullets during a clash between government forces and the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Monday.
In an article written by Julie Alipala for Philippine Daily Inquirer on February 24, it was disclosed that the civilian casualties, which includes a 72-year-old woman, have “participated and provided cover during the encounter against the government forces” when the elements of the 13th Scout Ranger Company (SRC) responded to a report that armed rebels were roaming around the area.
According to 1Lt Sally Christine Prima, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Basilan, soldiers from the 13th (SRC) were met with heavy gunfire when they entered Barangay Bohe Ibu at 5:42 a.m. and the military operatives returned fire at the bandits.
“The government forces, while approaching the objective, was met by heavy volume of fire coming from the enemy. However, government forces were able to return fire and out-maneuvered the well-established defense position of the enemy, which ensued for about 15 minutes,” Prima said.
However, village chief Maklimar Mamang has denied the presence of ASG rebels in the area; saying that the military men merely fired indiscriminately at the villagers.
“Since I was a child, I have not heard of any encounter here between the Abu Sayyaf and government forces. There is no Abu Sayyaf here, but family feud or rido is very common in our place,” he said.
Mamang adds, “First, there was no heavy encounter between two armed groups, there’s no ASG here. Second, they launched a raid and killed two innocent women. They committed errors, their assets may have provided them with false information.”
Several other persons were also wounded during the raid, which was launched in support of the operations of the Lamitan Police headed by Insp. Gean Gallardo, who was tasked to serve a warrant of arrest to ASG member Nurhassan Lahaman.
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