Soldier accused of stealing munitions in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine military is investigating a soldier accused of stealing ammunition in the southern island of Basilan, where security forces are fighting militants, officials said Tuesday. Lt. Steffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman, said the suspect has been detained and is being investigated. "There is an ongoing investigation and the soldier could be dishonorably discharged and jailed if the court martial finds him guilty of all the charges against him," said the spokeswoman. Cacho withheld the identify and rank of the soldier so as not to preempt investigators. Government troops are fighting Abu Sayyaf militants and other Moro rebels in the island province, where dozens of soldiers had been killed, some of them beheaded, in recent years. - Al Jacinto, GMANews.TV