Basilan Lamitan Military Convoy Ambushed Again — 1 Soldier Dead, 8 Injured Including 10-Year-Old Child

📌 On the evening of Thursday, October 8, an army convoy was ambushed by armed men along the national highway in Barangay Sabong, Lamitan City, Basilan province, Mindanao. One soldier was injured and died early the next morning, while 8 others, including a 10-year-old boy and his father in a trailing vehicle, were injured. This attack occurred just three days after the Tip-Itipo ambush in the same province on Monday, October 5.

■ Incident Details
· The attack took place past 6 PM, with reports varying between around 6:15 PM and 6:50 PM.
· Troops from the 45th Infantry Battalion and other units were transporting fellow soldiers back to their base in Tip-Itipo when they were shot at by gunmen hiding by the roadside.
· The gunmen also fired at a civilian multicab vehicle trailing behind, injuring the 10-year-old boy in the knee and his father in the arm.
· One injured soldier passed away at a military hospital in the early hours of Friday, October 9. The number of injured soldiers varies between 6 and 7 depending on the report.

■ Investigation & Current Status
· The military immediately returned fire, causing the gunmen to flee into the surrounding area under the cover of darkness.
· The military and police have set up checkpoints across Lamitan City and are conducting pursuit operations.
· The military believes the attack was carried out by the armed group led by Saddam Siddick, which is linked to drug trafficking and extortion, in retaliation for recent military operations, and is also investigating its connection to the October 5 attack.

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Attacks targeting the military have been occurring consecutively in western island regions of Mindanao such as Basilan, so it is advisable to avoid visiting.
· If you must travel there, check the travel advisory level for the area on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safe Travel website before departure.
· Do not drive closely behind military vehicle convoys, and minimize traveling on national highways after sunset.

■ Sources
Philstar(10/9), GMA News(10/9), The Manila Times(10/9)