3 soldiers hurt in clash

Three soldiers were wounded after government troops responding to a reported armed encounter were fired upon in Barangay Biasong, Picong, Lanao del Sur, on 7 November.

According to the 101st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division, its personnel and members of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office responded to reports of an armed encounter believed to have been triggered by a family feud, locally known as rido.

Government troops were assessing and attempting to pacify the situation when armed individuals involved in the conflict opened fire on them, triggering an exchange of gunfire that left three soldiers wounded.

Additional troops were deployed to reinforce the responding personnel, and the exchange of gunfire subsided at around 8 p.m.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit said the encounter occurred while authorities were conducting a joint clearing operation in connection with an armed conflict between the Labao and Gaosil families.

Salanguit said a member of the Labao family fired at the authorities who had responded to the incident.

The wounded soldiers were identified as Pvt. Jude Deligero, Pvt. Cupid Val Masibog Mosque and Pvt. Reymond Padawan. All three were immediately evacuated and brought to the nearest medical facility.