LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — Seven Philippine Army soldiers were wounded after unidentified armed men opened fire on a military vehicle in the vicinity of Barangay Sabong, Lamitan City, Basilan, on Thursday evening, October 8, with a 10-year-old boy and his father also caught in the gunfire.
The attack occurred at around 6:55 p.m., according to the latest information provided by military authorities. The soldiers belonged to the 45th Infantry Battalion (45IB) and were reportedly traveling aboard a 6×6 military vehicle when they came under fire while returning to their battalion after picking up personnel at a local port in Lamitan City.
The incident was confirmed by BGen. Frederick Sales, commander of the Philippine Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade, who said the troops were passing through the vicinity of Barangay Sabong when unidentified armed men suddenly opened fire.
The wounded soldiers were immediately transported to the Emergency Department of Lamitan City District Hospital for initial treatment.
Two of the wounded soldiers were later reported to be in critical condition and were airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital at the Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) for further medical attention.
Civilians Caught in Gunfire
The attack also injured two civilians who happened to be in the area when the shooting occurred.
According to BGen. Sales, the civilians were a father and his 10-year-old son. The boy sustained a gunshot wound to the knee, while his father suffered a minor injury to his arm.
The two were identified in the initial information as Daniel Hajim Onton and his 10-year-old son, both residents of Barangay Balobo, Lamitan City.
The presence of civilians among those wounded has heightened concern over the risks posed by armed attacks in areas where military and security operations are being conducted.
Authorities have not indicated that the civilians were targets of the attack. Based on the available account, they were caught in the area as the ambush unfolded.
Seven Soldiers Wounded
The soldiers identified in the initial report include:
- Cpl. Lagmay
- Technical Sgt. Gayao Edgardo Danzalan
- Staff Sgt. Noel Ewad Backas
- PFC Ismael Balberos Degamo
- PFC Felipe Tercio Tañamor Jr.
- Staff Sgt. Dwight Eissen Villamil
- One additional soldier whose identity had not yet been released
The military has not yet released complete details on the injuries sustained by each soldier, although two were reported to require air evacuation because of the seriousness of their condition.
Security forces immediately launched follow-up operations while investigators worked to determine the identity of the attackers and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Attackers Remain Unidentified
Initial reports described the perpetrators only as unidentified armed men.
According to the account relayed by authorities, the troops were traveling through the area when the armed group suddenly appeared and opened fire without apparent provocation, striking the military vehicle and also hitting the two civilians who were in the vicinity.
Security forces are now pursuing leads to identify those responsible and determine whether the attackers belong to an organized armed group operating in the area.
Authorities have not yet publicly established the motive behind the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have cautioned that further details may change as field validation and intelligence gathering continue.
Second Ambush in Basilan in Four Days
The Lamitan attack came only days after another ambush involving Philippine Army personnel in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, on October 5.
In that earlier incident, at least 11 military personnel, including a Civilian Armed Auxiliary member, were reported wounded after an armed group attacked a military convoy in Sitio Bauno Dagao, Barangay Badja, Tipo-Tipo.
The October 5 convoy was reportedly traveling from Tipo-Tipo toward Lamitan City when it came under fire at around 7:44 to 7:45 a.m. The convoy reportedly consisted of three KM450 military vehicles and three civilian vehicles.
Three of the wounded personnel were subsequently airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City and were reported to be in critical condition.
The military later examined the possibility that the Tipo-Tipo attack was retaliatory, potentially linked to a September 29 armed encounter in Barangay Baimbing, Lamitan City, during an operation to serve warrants against wanted individuals.
However, authorities have not established that the October 5 Tipo-Tipo ambush and the October 8 Lamitan attack were carried out by the same group or were connected.
That distinction remains important as investigators continue to examine the separate incidents.
Security Forces Pursue Attackers
Following Thursday night’s attack, security forces intensified monitoring and security operations in the affected area.
The Basilan Police Provincial Office and other security units are coordinating with local authorities as investigators work to establish the identity of the perpetrators and determine the circumstances surrounding the ambush.
The latest attack underscores the continuing security challenges faced by military personnel and communities in parts of Basilan, particularly in areas where armed groups remain capable of mounting attacks against government forces.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation develops, particularly regarding the identities of the attackers, the condition of the critically wounded soldiers, and whether investigators uncover any link between the latest attack and previous armed incidents in Basilan.