1 Ilonggo soldier dead, another wounded in Sulu ambush
One Ilonggo soldier is confirmed dead while another is wounded in latest skirmishes between government forces and Muslim rebels in Mindanao.
Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), identified the casualty as PFC Reynold Lindres of Brgy. Caningwan, Lambunao. He has yet to get the identity of the wounded Ilonggo soldier as of press time.
The ambush, Captain Marquez added, occurred along Barangay Bonbon in Jolo, Sulu. Reports said some three other Marines were killed while nine other soldiers were hurt. It was not clear how many were also killed or injured from the Muslim terrorist rebels.
The government operatives were on a military convoy when shots were fired. The gunfire lasted some ten minutes as the enemies of the State retreated.
"We are saddened to report that we suffered these latest casualties with one of our Ilonggo soldiers who braved the war in Mindanao killed in action. Like the rest of our fallen comrades, we salute him and his family and all the more now that we have to continue the fight for him," he said.
Transfer of victim's remains is being facilitated by the AFP with full honors and benefits due to the surviving family.
The ambush site is a known stronghold of Muslim terrorists, Abu Sayyaf. News wires disclosed that mortars were used in the ambush of the government forces.
Barangay Bonbon is located in the town of Patikul, Jolo.