BASILAN — Two members of the Philippine Army were wounded after being shot by unidentified assailants in a bold daylight attack in Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, on Monday afternoon, January 26, 2026, authorities confirmed.
The victims were identified as Private First Class (PFC) Mark Antony Libo-On, 23, and PFC Jomare Sadjail, both assigned to Bravo Company of the 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB), 1st Infantry Division (1ID). Police said the incident occurred at around 5:28 p.m. at Sitio Crossing Baguindan, roughly 200 meters away from the soldiers’ detachment.
According to initial investigation, the two soldiers were off-duty and buying basic necessities at a roadside sari-sari store when they were suddenly fired upon by still unidentified attackers. Some reports indicated the suspects were riding a motorcycle and fled immediately after the shooting, heading toward the mountainous interior of Barangay Baguindan.
Responding units from the Tipo-Tipo Municipal Police Station (MPS) were alerted at 5:33 p.m. and were dispatched within minutes. Crime scene investigators recovered two fired .45 caliber cartridge casings from the area.
Both soldiers sustained multiple gunshot wounds. One of the victims was reportedly hit near the eye, while the other suffered gunshot wounds to other parts of the body. They were immediately rushed to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. Authorities said their condition remains undisclosed as of this writing, pending notification of their respective families.
The motive behind the attack has yet to be determined. Police and military officials said they are looking into all possible angles, including insurgency-related activity, personal vendetta, or other criminal motives.
In response, the Tipo-Tipo MPS activated dragnet operations in coordination with neighboring police units, while troops of the 45IB launched hot pursuit operations in the rugged, mountainous terrain to track down the suspects. Security has also been tightened across the municipality to prevent similar incidents.
Brigadier General Frederick Sales, commander of the 1101st Infantry “Gagandilan” Brigade, condemned the attack and assured the public that authorities are exerting all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Our troops serve to protect the people and maintain peace in Basilan. This attack on our personnel is an assault on the security and stability of our communities,” Sales said. “We are leveraging all available resources, in close coordination with the Philippine National Police and local leaders, to locate and apprehend the suspects without delay.”
Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with authorities by reporting any information that could help identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting.
Investigations are ongoing.