ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 24, 2012) – Unidentified gunmen attacked a small fleet of fishing boats off the southern Filipino province of Basilan and almost wiping out all its 18 crew, army officials said Tuesday.
Only three crew men had survived the Monday attack, but they were all seriously wounded, said Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.
“They were strafed by armed men who were onboard three small boats off Sibago Island which is still part of Mohd Ajul town in Basilan. The gunmen killed 15 fishermen and three survived the attack, but they are all seriously wounded,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
Cabangbang said the victims were mostly from Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province where they are based, but sailed to the troubled province Basilan on three boats – Palakaya 1, 2 and 3 – to catch fish.
The bodies of the slain fishermen were brought back to Pagadian City.
Western Mindanao military chief Major General Noel Coballes has ordered troops to track down the assailants, Cabangbang said.
“There is an operation to track down the attackers, who could also be fishermen. This attack could be connected to a turf war,” he said.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)
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