September 21, 2012, GMA News, 3 killed, 6 hurt in Abu Sayyaf ambush in Basilan,

September 21, 2012, GMA News, 3 killed, 6 hurt in Abu Sayyaf ambush in Basilan,

Two militiamen and a rubber plantation worker were killed when fired upon by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern Philippine province of Basilan Thursday afternoon, a regional military spokesperson said Friday. Six others were hurt in the attack.

It marked the third time that the bandits attacked workers belonging to the Tumahubing Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Integrated Development Cooperative (TARBIDC) since July this year, which have resulted in the deaths of seven workers.

Authorities earlier said extortion was most like the reason for the the attacks. 

Capt. Albert Caber of the Army's 1st Infantry Division said the bandits were led by Ahmad Aliman, Umair Wakil, Akbar Tampuri and Madi Umangkat.

The incident occurred at Sitio Buhi Manicaan in Barangay Sapah Bulak in Sumisip town. At the time of the attack, the victims were on board motorcycles on their way home from Tumahubong.

Col. Carlito Galvez, commander of the 104th Brigade, said the militiamen, both unarmed, attended a dialogue with concerned non-government organizations, religious sectors and officials from the Cooperative Development Authority. 

Caber said the fatalities were evacuated to Isabela City while those wounded were brought to Zamboanga City for treatment. 

Government troops have since been deployed to go after the attackers. — RSJ, GMA News