Manuel Mogato | October 12, 2026
MANILA — Islamist gunmen killed a soldier and wounded eight others, including two civilians, in an ambush in Lamitan City, the second incident this week involving the same Army unit.
An Army spokesman said troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion were on the way back to a headquarters in Ungkaya Pukan town when they were fired upon around 6 pm on Thursday. (Also read: Gunmen ambush soldiers in Basilan, 11 wounded)
“The soldiers were at a local port to fetch new soldiers arriving in Basilan,” the spokesman said.
“Seven soldiers were initially wounded, but one of them died at a hospital in Zamboanga City on Friday morning.”
A father and his 10-year-old son were also injured after being caught in the crossfire.
On October 5, gunmen also ambushed the members of the 45th Infantry Battalion in Tipo-Tipo town, also in Basilan, that left 11 troops injured.
The October 5 ambush was attributed to a group engaged in the trade of illegal drugs in the province. The group is said to be led by one Saddam Siddick.
Siddick and his men reportedly perpetrated the October 5 ambush to avenge the death of his wife, who died in a law enforcement operation in Lamitan City last September 29.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the two attacks will not affect the peace process with former Muslim rebels, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Teodoro has ordered the arrest of Siddick, describing the attacks as “narco-terrorism”.