Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete met today with local and military officials at the headquarters of the 1101st Infantry Brigade in Isabela City, Basilan, on Tuesday, October 6. Official handout.
Manuel Mogato | October 6, 2026
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Armed men ambushed a convoy of Army soldiers in a remote town on Basilan Island, wounding 11 servicemen, including a junior officer, in a rare violent incident in the once hotbed of Islamist militants in the south.
Navy Commander Jose Covarrubias Jr., spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion were en route to a brigade headquarters in Isabela City when they were waylaid in Sitio Bauno Dagao, Barangay Badja in Tipo-tipo town.
“Most probably they are lawless elements; we have a few lawless elements there,” said Covarrubias, referring to the gunmen, also noting that the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf Group no longer has a presence in the province.
He said the military was coordinating with the PNP and local government units to identify the gunmen and bring them to justice.
Covarrubias said the military has sent reinforcements to the island and is going after those behind the attack.
“We reinforced our troops. Our pursuit operations are ongoing,” said Covarrubias.
He said the injured troops were due to be airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City.
The Army’s 11th Infantry Division condemned the “act of violence” even as it assured the public that efforts are underway “to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and hold those responsible accountable.”
“Our troops remain vigilant and committed to fulfilling their duty of protecting the people of Basilan and preserving the peace and security that communities and stakeholders have worked hard to achieve,” the 11th ID said.
“We appeal to the public to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information that may cause unnecessary concern or hamper ongoing security efforts,” it added.