Soldier killed in clash with Abu Sayyaf

From ABS-CBN (Aug 31): Soldier killed in clash with Abu Sayyaf

An Army Special Forces officer was killed in a clash with members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in Lantawan, Basilan on Saturday night.

The victim was identified as Capt. Mark Zember Gamboa, commander of the Army's 14th Special Forces Company under the 4th Special Forces Battalion.

A military report said Gamboa and his men were on a combat patrol at the vicinity of Basak Tiki in Barangay Calagusan when the fighting broke out with an undetermined number of terrorists at around 6:20 p.m.

The terrorists were led by one Halang, alias Commander Jeck.

It was not clear whether anyone from the terrorist group was killed or injured.

Gamboa, a member of the Junior Chamber International-Basilan, Inc. (JCI), died from gunshot wounds.

“He died in the line of duty, serving the community he has grown to love and care for. He will be missed. His selflessness and friendship will be remembered,” the JCI said of Gamboa, a native of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

The attack came after an August 21 ambush in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan, where 10 soldiers from the government were injured.

The ambush in Ungkaya Pukan was perpetrated by an Abu Sayyaf group led by Furuji Indama, who was reportedly out to avenge recent losses his group suffered from the military.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/08/31/14/soldier-killed-clash-abu-sayyaf