2 Army Intel officers slain in Basilan ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two intelligence officers of the Army were killed while another was wounded in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Tuburan, Basilan on Friday afternoon.
Sgt. Reymark Bation and Cpl. Jordan Daquipel of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion (18IB) died at the scene of the attack.
Their companion, Cpl. Richivie Flores was taken to the Lamitan City District Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.
After receiving treatment, Flores was airlifted to a medical facility in this city.
The officers, who were on separate motorcycles, were headed to their base when armed men waylaid them at past 4 p.m. in Barangay Dugaa, according to Col. J-Jay Javines, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.
The gunmen took the firearms of the officers before fleeing on separate motorcycles.
Two platoons from the 18th IB led by Capt. Zaldy Mark Encina responded and recovered the wounded as well as the remains of the fatalities.
The military said the area were the attack occurred was formerly known for the presence of different armed groups, including the dismantled Abu Sayyaf bandit group.
Javines said checkpoint operations and intelligence efforts were intensified to locate the gunmen.
Meanwhile, two hours after the ambush in Basilan, two civilians were killed in another gun attack in the nearby town of Al-Barka.
Police said the civilians were cutting trees in Barangay Bohe Libi when they were shot by unidentified suspects.
Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing. — John Unson
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