Manhunt on vs. gunmen in ambush of 2 off-duty soldiers

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 1, 2019): Manhunt on vs. gunmen in ambush of 2 off-duty soldiers

COTABATO CITY -- Police and military personnel have launched a manhunt for two men who shot and critically injured two off-duty soldiers along a busy street here Friday noon.

Col. Portia Manalad, acting city police director, identified the victims as Privates 1st Class Clyde A. Najera, 25, of Kapatagan, Zamboanga del Sur; and Rico R. Zamora, 22, of Sta. Maria, Zamboanga del Sur.

The two are members of the Philippine Army’s 549th Engineering Brigade based in Camp Siongco, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.Manalad quoted a report from Police Station 2 that the soldiers were on board a motorbike heading towards the downtown area when they were shot by gunmen on separate motorbikes.

“In civilian clothes, the victims were on their way to fetch a package at a local LBC branch when ambushed,” she told reporters here following the shooting.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack but police and military intelligence agents believed the attackers belonged to the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) out to avenge the losses they incurred in continuing military operations against them in Maguindanao.

An Army intelligence officer, who requested anonymity, said off-duty soldiers in civilian clothes are “soft targets”. Steps are being undertaken to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Police and the Army’s 5th Special Forces based in the city are working closely to identify the attackers and the motive behind the killings.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071255