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Gunmen in Basilan kill 15 fishermen from Pagadian — military

January 24, 2012 10:19am
Gunmen in Basilan have killed 15 fishermen from Pagadian and wounded three others in a sea attack by suspected local rivals apparently asserting claims to fishing territory, the military said Tuesday.
 
The fishermen were killed by men armed with assault rifles off the southern island of Basilan on Monday, regional military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Randolph Cabangbang told AFP.

"They (victims) were fishing on another group's turf," Cabangbang told AFP in a telephone interview.
 
He said the authorities had ruled out the potential involvement of the MILF, who are also active in Basilan.
 
Police have identified several suspects and arrests are expected shortly, Cabangbang said, adding that a military unit was ordered to provide security for police investigators.
 
"The suspects are heavily armed," he added.
 
The victims were all residents of Pagadian City, about 160 kilometers to the northeast, and were attacked as soon as their three boats approached the tiny island of Sibago, off Basilan's east coast.
 
Other fishermen in the area later discovered the shooting and took the three wounded victims to hospital, Cabangbang said.
 
The bodies of the 15 dead fishermen were taken back to Pagadian, he added. — HS, Agence France-Presse

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