MANILA: A Jemaah Islamiyah-led local terrorist group of recruits ambushed a team of Army soldiers in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, killing a soldier, military reports said. The slain soldier was identified as Private 1st Class Nurhasad Imlani, a member of a four-man Army intelligence team dispatched to check on the presence in the area of Malaysia JI member Amin Baco, alias Abu Jihad. The soldiers were on board two motorcycles when the five-man terrorist group, led by Baco, ambushed them at the Kurilim Junction in Tipo-Tipo at about 10.40am. In the fighting that ensued, Imlani was shot dead. Baco’s group fled and was later intercepted by Army reinforcement troops that engaged the armed men in another firefight. The suspects, however, escaped.
‘16 children dead in conflict areas’
MANILA: Party-list group Akap Bata yesterday claimed that 16 children have been killed under the administration of President Benigno Aquino since the implementation of “Oplan Bayanihan.” Flores said the latest incident of violence against children happened in Mabini, Compostela Valley, allegedly committed by soldiers from 71st Infantry Battalion who fired upon five kids, one of whom died.
Flores said the government’s counter-insurgency programmeme Oplan Bayanihan is targeting “progressive groups, civilians and worse, children.” The group said the rise deaths among children in conflict areas should be blamed on the government’s inefficient implementation of laws protecting children such as the Anti Violence Against Women and Children law and Anti- Human Trafficking law.
Jailed Filipinos promised help
MANILA: Officials of the Philippine embassy in Jakarta have visited three Filipinos arrested on drug smuggling charges and ensured legal representation for them. A Department of Foreign
Affairs spokesman said the Filipinos told officials that they did not know they were carrying methamphetamine or shabu.
“I was told this afternoon they will be transferred to another cell in Jakarta. They are in good condition,” he said. “Embassy officials ensured legal representation so human rights will be protected. They will get lawyers for their defence,” he added.
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