A CIVILIAN was hurt in a crossfire Wednesday between government troops and armed men that also resulted in the death of one, arrest of the lawless group’s leader and confiscation of their arms cache in Omar, Sulu, the military reported Thursday.
Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, did not identify the wounded civilian who was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“A civilian was caught in the crossfire and was immediately rushed by the troops to Luuk District Hospital for medical treatment. No casualty was reported on the government side,” Petinglay said.
She said the lone casualty from the lawless group had yet to be identified.
The arrested leader of the group was identified as Saudi K. Hamja who has standing warrants for arson and attempted arson.
Operatives from the military’s Task Group Panther and personnel of the Omar Municipal Police Station were out to serve the warrants against Hamja at around 5 a.m. last Wednesday when fired upon by the armed men in Barangay Capual.
Petinglay said 20 fully-armed followers including Hamja engaged the government troops for several minutes of gunbattle.
Hamja was cornered and surrendered while his men escaped to different directions.
Troops recovered from Hamja’s lair 36 firearms and crew-served weapons such as a cal .50 HMG; a 60mm mortar; 7 M14 rifles; 5 Garand rifles; 8 M16A1 rifles; 4 M653; 2 M79 grenade launchers; an AK47 Kalashnikov rifle; a FALN; 3 cal .30 Carbine; 2 M79; and a cal .22 rifle.
Investigators were following leads that Hamja’s group could have an alliance with the Abu Sayyaf Group and with some rogue politicians and influential personalities in the province.
“Our troops on the ground continue to intensify military operations in Sulu and adhere to the rules of engagement to contain lawless groups and pre-empt the conduct of atrocities in the province,” Wesmincom chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
