The Filipino, Vincent Amet, was rushed to hospital by his companions after he failed to regain consciousness. The US soldier – who was with several American troops in two civilian vehicles – was in the area when the accident occurred.
The soldier helped carry the victim to a safe area and immediately left before locals, curious with what happened started to flock to the scene. The victim’s companions said they were not able to thank the American soldier, but praised him for helping the man.
US troops are deployed in Zamboanga City and other parts of the southern Philippines to train Filipino soldiers in fighting terrorism. The soldiers belong to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, numbering about several hundreds.
They are also active in humanitarian and engineering works, among others during their six-month stint in the southern region where local security forces are battling the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, as well as communist and Moro rebels. (With a report from Alvin Lardizabal)
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