State of calamity declared in 3 Basilan towns as military pursue ASG bandits

From InterAksyon (Jul 12): State of calamity declared in 3 Basilan towns as military pursue ASG bandits

The provincial government of Basilan on Tuesday declared a state of calamity in the municipalities of Tipo-Tipo, Ungkaya Pukan and Al Barka as the  military continued its intensified offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

On Tuesday morning, a soldier was killed and five other troopers were wounded in an explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) while the 8th Scout Ranger Company and the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion were conducting clearing operations in Tipo-Tipo.

The wounded soldiers were immediately airlifted to Zamboanga City for medical treatment.

In Sulu, a soldier was also killed and six others were injured during ongoing military operations to free the hostages of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

So far, at least 40 members of the ASG were believed to have been killed and another 25 wounded in the week-long intensified military offensive against the ASG in Basilan and Sulu.

http://interaksyon.com/article/130270/state-of-calamity-declared-in-3-basilan-towns-as-military-pursue-asg-bandits