2 Marines killed in accidental explosion

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Marines were killed when a grenade accidentally went off in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan before nightfall Thursday, a military official said.

Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, 1st Marine Brigade commander, said the soldiers were preparing to leave their camp in Barangay Bohe Pahu when the incident happened at around 5 p.m.

The identities of the two fatalities were not immediately available.

“It was an accident. The pin of a grenade inside a bag was accidentally pulled by a Marine preparing to leave the camp,” Guerrero said.

However, he said the incident would be further investigated.

Meanwhile, Marines continued to be on a defensive posture amid attempts by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Abu Sayyaf bandits to stage attacks.

Guerrero said there has been a lull following Tuesday’s attack by MILF and Abu Sayyaf men clad in black suits.

He said three of the attackers were confirmed killed, although others were reported hit by Marine snipers.

As this developed, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral said her office is extending medical assistance to villagers displaced by the conflict in Basilan.

Although the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao social welfare office is taking the lead, Cabral said the DSWD is extending other forms of assistance to the displaced civilians.