Helicopter gunships sent to Sulu island to stop hostilities
MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command deployed two helicopter gunships to the island town of Tongkil in Sulu yesterday to beef up Marines preventing violence between supporters of mayoral candidates there from escalating.
Citing initial reports, Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, Armed Forces spokesman, said heavy fighting erupted at 8:40 a.m. yesterday and skirmishes were continuing as of press time.
“The Marines are in the area to de-escalate the conflict. We have also deployed UH-1H and MG520 attack helicopters to provide air support,†Tutaan said.
Despite the fighting, Tutaan said voting proceeded in the island town, as the skirmishes were confined to just one area.
Instead of local policemen, Marines were deployed in Tongkil for election duties and to monitor pre-poll partisan activities there.
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