9 wounded as troopers, armed group clash in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2023): 9 wounded as troopers, armed group clash in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

(PNA file image)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Nine were wounded when a gunfight ensued between government troops and members of a suspected private armed group allegedly maintained by a former vice mayor in Maimbung, Sulu, Saturday morning.

The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) said the firefight broke out around 7 a.m. in Barangay Bualo Lipid, wounding eight government troopers and a civilian.

The APC-WM did not identify the wounded troopers except that four of them belong to the Provincial Mobile Force Company, two from the Special Action Force, and one from the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion.

Reports said the troops were about to serve search and arrest warrants against former Maimbung Vice Mayor Pando Mudjasan, who is also a Moro National Liberation Front leader, when the firefight began.

The Mudjasan group opened fire at the approaching authorities, prompting the latter to return fire.

A stray bullet injured a civilian, whose identity was not immediately known.

The former vice mayor has standing warrants of arrest for double murder, multiple murder, two counts for frustrated murder, and for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regular Act.

APC-WM said Mudjasan's group is a potential private armed group that may be utilized in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204221