ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 15 (PNA) — Three people, including two students, were wounded in the crossfire when Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) members clashed with Abu Sayyaf brigands in Sulu, a top military official disclosed Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, disclosed the clash broke out around 2 p.m. Friday in Barangay Taglibi, Patikul, Sulu.
Prior to the firefight, Arrojado said the Abu Sayyaf brigands led by sub-leader Muammar Askali ambushed a project engineer and a BPAT member riding tandem in a motorcycle in Barangay Taglibi.
Arrojado said the brigands were about to burn an unoccupied structure — a former detachment — when the project engineer and BPAT member “passed by the immediate vicinity and were ambushed.”
Arrojado said the other members of BPAT from Barangay Mampallan, upon receipt of information, reinforced their beleaguered companion that resulted to a firefight.
“That (ambush) instigated the firefight,” Arrojado added.
He identified the crossfire victims as Nurhaida Jadja, 18 and Marni Suhuri, 17, both students of Patikul National High School and Hadji Anni Abubayong, 61.
The victims were rushed to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) for treatment.
Arrojado said the BPAT led by Patikul Councilor Akam Ajijul are providing security to the implementation of infrastructure projects in the municipality. (PNA)