SAF trooper dies, 2 others hurt serving arrest warrant in Tawi-Tawi

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 30, 2024): SAF trooper dies, 2 others hurt serving arrest warrant in Tawi-Tawi (By: Julie S. Alipala)

Police General Rommel Francisco Dayleg Marbil spoke with PMSgt Mohammad Lee Aharul while recuperating in a private hospital in Zamboanga City. | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY PNP PRO9

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos paid a visit to three wounded members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) at the Ciudad Medical Center on Thursday morning.

“We stand before you with heavy hearts but resolute spirits as we visit our brave SAF troopers here in Zamboanga City who were wounded during the recent operation in Tandubas municipality, province of Tawi-Tawi,” Abalos said after his brief talk with the family members inside the hospital.

The three were wounded in a clash with armed men in Tandubas last Tuesday afternoon while serving 21 arrest warrants against a certain Udon Hasim, also known as Utoh and Kah, a former member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group under Idang Susukan and Alhabsy Misaya.

On Thursday morning, Patrolman Ian Valdez, a newbie in the police force, died while being treated in a private hospital here.

Valdez and colleagues Police Master Sergeants Alberto Olbis and Mohammad Lee Aharul were seriously wounded in the clash.

Olbis and Aharul are set to be airlifted to Manila for further medical attention.

All three are natives of Jolo, Sulu.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1946778/saf-trooper-dies-2-others-hurt-serving-arrest-warrant-in-tawi-tawi