Marine officer dies in Sulu blast; 2 others hurt
10/21/2009 | 05:36 PM
In yet another attack on government troops in southern Philippines, a Marine officer was killed while two others were wounded on Wednesday in a blast caused by an improvised explosive device.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Ramon David Hontiveros said the Marine officer – whose identity was withheld – was leading a foot patrol about 9 a.m. in Barangay (village) Tugas in Patikul town in Sulu "when an IED exploded nearby."
The province is widely perceived to be the stronghold of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, the "prime suspects" in the attack, according to Hontiveros.
Wounded in the attack were Private First Class Ariston Casano and an unidentified civilian.
The slain Marine official was pronounced dead on arrival at the Trauma Hospital in Barangay Busbus in Jolo town. Hontiveros told GMANews.TV by phone that they cannot yet disclose the Marine officer’s name until his family is informed.
"We are exerting all efforts to inform the family [of the slain officer]," Hontiveros said.
Abu Sayyaf
Hontiveros said they are still investigating who could behind the attack, but said the Abu Sayyaf could be responsible for the incident. "We’re still investigating this, but we have the Abu Sayyaf as the prime suspects."
Apart from the Abu Sayyaf, other armed groups in the province are members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and those being maintained reportedly by local politicians.
Last Monday, Globe Telecom’s cellular tower in Parang, Sulu was blown up with an IED by still unidentified men.
It was not immediately known what group was responsible for the bombing. But in Luzon areas, military authorities put the blame on the New People's Army (NPA) in cases of similar attacks, noting that the telecommunications firm has repeatedly refused to contribute to the outlawed group's so-called revolutionary tax collection.
Last October 15, five Marines were wounded following a clash with unidentified gunmen in Caluang, Sulu. At the time, Hontiveros said they were verifying if the armed men were members of the Abu Sayyaf.
Another Marine was killed early this month in an encounter with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Indanan, Sulu. The Marines were then providing security for engineers who were on their way to repair the Talatak Bridge when were fired upon by the al-Qaeda-linked bandits.
Late last month, two US Navy personnel were killed following a roadside bombing in Jolo. Days later, the attack was owned up by a group claiming to be allied with the MNLF faction of Nur Misuari. [See: MNLF ally owns up to attack on US troops] - with reports from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Ramon David Hontiveros said the Marine officer – whose identity was withheld – was leading a foot patrol about 9 a.m. in Barangay (village) Tugas in Patikul town in Sulu "when an IED exploded nearby."
The province is widely perceived to be the stronghold of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, the "prime suspects" in the attack, according to Hontiveros.
Wounded in the attack were Private First Class Ariston Casano and an unidentified civilian.
The slain Marine official was pronounced dead on arrival at the Trauma Hospital in Barangay Busbus in Jolo town. Hontiveros told GMANews.TV by phone that they cannot yet disclose the Marine officer’s name until his family is informed.
"We are exerting all efforts to inform the family [of the slain officer]," Hontiveros said.
Abu Sayyaf
Hontiveros said they are still investigating who could behind the attack, but said the Abu Sayyaf could be responsible for the incident. "We’re still investigating this, but we have the Abu Sayyaf as the prime suspects."
Apart from the Abu Sayyaf, other armed groups in the province are members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and those being maintained reportedly by local politicians.
Last Monday, Globe Telecom’s cellular tower in Parang, Sulu was blown up with an IED by still unidentified men.
It was not immediately known what group was responsible for the bombing. But in Luzon areas, military authorities put the blame on the New People's Army (NPA) in cases of similar attacks, noting that the telecommunications firm has repeatedly refused to contribute to the outlawed group's so-called revolutionary tax collection.
Last October 15, five Marines were wounded following a clash with unidentified gunmen in Caluang, Sulu. At the time, Hontiveros said they were verifying if the armed men were members of the Abu Sayyaf.
Another Marine was killed early this month in an encounter with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Indanan, Sulu. The Marines were then providing security for engineers who were on their way to repair the Talatak Bridge when were fired upon by the al-Qaeda-linked bandits.
Late last month, two US Navy personnel were killed following a roadside bombing in Jolo. Days later, the attack was owned up by a group claiming to be allied with the MNLF faction of Nur Misuari. [See: MNLF ally owns up to attack on US troops] - with reports from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
