PNP probes link between 2 Basilan ambushes
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday it was investigating a possible link between two ambushes targeting Army personnel in Basilan that left one soldier dead and several others wounded, including a 10-year-old child.
PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said local police units were looking into the possibility that the same group was behind the attacks in Lamitan City and Tipo-Tipo.
“Our local units there are looking at the angle na ito ‘yung gumawa, the same group nung nakaraan at ito ay hinahanap natin. We will not stop until we bring them to justice,” Co said.
In the latest attack in Lamitan, one soldier was killed and six other Army personnel were wounded.
Two civilians, including a 10-year-old boy, were also reportedly hit.
An earlier ambush in Tipo-Tipo on October 5 left 10 soldiers injured.
Co said investigators were examining the possibility that the attacks were motivated by revenge, noting that both incidents involved personnel from the same Army unit.
He linked the possible motive to a previous encounter involving a couple who were both subjects of warrants of arrest.
“Lalo lang lumalakas dahil this is the same who operated. ‘Yung mag-asawa ay may warrant and husband was able to escape. In the firefight, ang natamaan is asawa niya na namatay,” Co said.
“Vengeance ang lumalabas, ‘yun ang initial na nakikita natin. And since they have targeted the same unit, so mas lalong lumalakas ‘yung anggulo na the same group ang gumawa nito,” he added.
The PNP condemned the attack, particularly the involvement of civilians, including the 10-year-old boy, who was reportedly traveling with his father.
Authorities are also checking whether the suspects belong to a group that previously operated under a larger organization before breaking away.
Co said the PNP remained on heightened alert and was coordinating with the Philippine Army and other Armed Forces of the Philippines units as the manhunt and investigation continued.