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Militant killed, policeman injured in failed ambush in Philippines
A militant was killed and one policeman was wounded during a failed ambush in the southern Philippines Basilan province.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:00 June 2, 2009
Manila: A militant was killed and one policeman was wounded during a failed ambush in the southern Philippines Basilan province.
One civilian was shot to death in southern Zamboanga City, authorities said, adding the incidents occurred a day after a US defence chief vowed to help the Philippine government in eradicating terrorists in the south.
"Suspected Abu Sayyaf members, led by Furuji Indama and Nurhasan Jamiri, attacked a convoy of policemen, and Senior Police Officer Nasser Ladjamali was wounded on the right hand in Cassah Village, Tipo-Tipo town," Police Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar said in a TV report.
"The incident occurred as a joint police and military team discussed plans to rescue 10 more kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan," said Macapantar, adding the killing of an Abu Sayyaf member prevented the group's plan to attack a civilian community in Basilan.
Meanwhile, an unidentified gunman shot to death James Ramirez with a 0.45-calibre pistol near a tennis court in Santa Barbara village, near downtown Zamboanga at 10am on Tuesday, police said.
Ramirez was rushed to Zamboanga Medical Centre where he died due to the from wounds that he sustained in the shooting, police said, adding the victim is part of a clan that owns a chain of restaurants in Zamboanga City.
Authorities could not catch the gunman who managed to escape immediately after the shooting.
Earlier, Philippine police chief Jesus Verzosa declared Zamboanga City a gun-free zone. But residents are licensed to carry firearms for protection from kidnappers and assassins.
The incidents in the two strongholds of the Abu Sayyaf Group occurred after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates vowed to provide assistance to defeat militants in the southern Philippines.
"Together we will not relent until this threat has been eliminated," said Gates in a meeting with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
"He offered to assist us in training and other things in order to deal with this threat," Teodoro said. US special forces advisers have given intelligence assistance to Philippine army.
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