Google map of Esperanza town in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines.
SULTAN KUDARAT (Mindanao Examiner / June 4, 2014) – A mistaken encounter on Wednesday between soldiers and policemen left one person dead and three more wounded in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat, officials said.
Officials said members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police manning a checkpoint tried to stop for inspection a group of men in motorcycle in downtown Esperanza, but a shootout erupted.
The motorcycle men turned out to be members of the military intelligence who were allegedly on a covert operation. One civilian who was near the area was killed after being hit by a stray bullet during an exchange of fire.
It was not immediately known how many were wounded on both sides. Police and military have launched a separate investigation into the incident. (Rose Muneza)
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