LAMITAN CITY (October 13) — A soldier is dead and more than a dozen military personnel have been reported wounded in two roadside ambushes in Basilan, prompting the military to intensify security operations and launch a manhunt for armed men allegedly led by Saddam Saddick.
Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales, commander of the Army’s 1101st Infantry “Gagandilan” Brigade, said Monday that security forces had raised their alert status across the province following consecutive attacks on military transport convoys.
Sales ordered units to strengthen force protection, heighten vigilance and review movement protocols for trucks transporting troops and supplies.
The latest attack occurred Thursday night when armed men allegedly led by Saddick ambushed KM450 tactical trucks carrying troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion returning from the Lamitan City port.
The attack killed Cpl. Efren M. Lagmay, who suffered severe head injuries, and left military personnel and civilians among the casualties.
The ambush followed a daylight attack in Tipo-Tipo town on Oct. 5 that wounded 10 Army personnel, including a junior officer, and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) attached to the 45th Infantry Battalion.
Military intelligence officials attributed both attacks to local armed elements allegedly operating under Saddick. The military believes the ambushes were retaliatory strikes following the death of his wife, Nermalyn Musa, during a joint security operation in Basilan.
Musa was identified by authorities as an operative linked to remnants of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Abu Sayyaf Group (DI-ASG). She was also facing four counts of murder before a local court in Basilan, according to the military.
In response, joint military and police teams have launched intelligence-led pursuit operations targeting the alleged perpetrators in strategic areas of the province.
Sales said the operations were being coordinated with local government units and the Philippine National Police to track down the armed group and prevent further attacks.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and to report suspicious movements to security forces.
The brigade said it remained committed to protecting civilians and maintaining peace and stability in Basilan despite the attacks.
