3 policemen hurt in 'misencounter' in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - At least three police personnel were wounded in a "misencounter" with  civilian volunteers (CVO) Saturday in a village of Luuk town, Sulu province, according to a military official.

Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and 2nd Marine Brigade, said the police forces led by Sulu Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita were riding in a convoy when they chanced upon a group of armed men occupying a former checkpoint detachment of marines at Barangay Tandu Bato.

A brief exchange of firefight ensued about 1 p.m. Eventually it was learned that  the police forces were clashing with the pro-government volunteers of Luuk town.

Cenabre said the encounter left three police personnel wounded while no one was reported hurt from the volunteers.

“It was a misencounter because the armed men were CVOs in the area. It was unfortunate that they were not immediately recognized,” Cenabre said.

He said the group of Orbita and several marines personnel have been moving around the province to settle rido or clan wars when the incident took place.

The wounded policemen were immediately rushed to the military trauma hospital inside the Kuta Heneral Teodolfo Bautista at Barangay Busbus, Jolo town for treatment and were declared in stable condition.

Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan and the mayor of Luuk immediately intervened and settled the incident, according to Cenabre.