3 AFP intelligence agents killed in Basilan ambush

DAVAO CITY —Three operatives of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) were killed in an ambush in Barangay Baimbing, Lamitan City, early evening on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Initial reports from the Lamitan City Police Station and the Basilan Provincial Police Office indicate that the victims, reportedly part of an ISAFP unit based in Zamboanga City, were aboard a white van when the assailants struck. The attackers, lying in wait, opened fire with high-powered assault rifles, resulting in the agents’ deaths on the spot.

Investigators believe the operatives were on an intelligence mission in Lamitan City when the ambush occurred. Witnesses reported hearing multiple bursts of gunfire around 7:30 PM, alarming residents in the area. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the victims were targeted specifically due to their intelligence work.

The identities of the slain agents are being withheld pending notification of their families.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Basilan remains a known stronghold of extremist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other local armed factions. These groups have been known to target military and police operatives conducting intelligence operations in the area.

Military sources have not ruled out the possibility that the ambush was a retaliatory move against recent government counter-terrorism efforts in Basilan. The region has been the focus of intensified operations aimed at dismantling armed groups and securing peace in the province.

The Lamitan City Police and Joint Task Force Basilan have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators. A special investigation team is reviewing the crime scene, which has been cordoned off to preserve evidence. Authorities are also analyzing ballistic materials recovered from the site to identify the firearms used in the attack.

Additional checkpoints have been set up in strategic locations around Lamitan City, and military forces are on heightened alert to prevent further incidents.

In a statement, AFP Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) condemned the ambush, calling it a cowardly act against personnel working to ensure the safety of the region.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of three of our brave intelligence operatives who were dedicated to protecting the peace and security of our nation. This attack will not deter our resolve to bring stability to Basilan,” the statement read.

Basilan has long been a hotbed of insurgency, marked by the presence of armed groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, which has been involved in kidnappings, bombings, and clashes with government forces. In recent years, the military has reported progress in weakening these groups, but sporadic violence and ambushes remain a challenge.

This latest incident underscores the continuing risks faced by intelligence and security forces operating in conflict-prone areas. The government has vowed to intensify its counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism campaigns to address these threats.

Authorities are urging the public to cooperate by providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the remains of the three fallen agents will be transported to Zamboanga City for proper honors and coordination with their families.