Infant among 23 dead in brazen Sulu ambush

A nine-month-old infant was among the 23 civilians killed in Monday morning's ambush staged by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Talipao, Sulu, according to a television report on Thursday.

"The youngest casualty is nine-months old. Ang isang matinong tao, maski kung anong galit niya, hindi niya maiisip bumaril kung may kasamang nine-month-old na bata," said Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes in a report on GMA News TV's "News To Go."



Around 50 people were on board two Tamaraw jeeps when they were ambushed in the vicinity of Lower Lumapid in Talipao town around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, resulting in the deaths of 23 people, including children and a senior citizen.

The convoy was reportedly on its way to a nearby village to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

The report said some residents believe the civilians were ambushed for giving information to the local government about the activities and whereabouts of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

"Parang pinagdiskitahan itong mga kapatid natin, mga tao sa community kasi we are strengthening community participation sa barangay level para sa information man lang, magbibigay sa local government," said Talipao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office chief Alkisar Alih in the same report.

However, Talipao Mayor Sitti Raya Tulawie said they are still hoping the residents will continue to coordinate and report to the local government any activities or locations of the bandits in their area.

"Ang layunin namin dito, basta kapayapaan at dapat mag-isa ang mga LGU namin dito at pati ang mga civilian," she said.

Earlier, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman said members of the local police who were assisting in military operations against the Abu Sayyaf appeared to be the real targets of the attack.

He said among those in the convoy were Talipao Vice Mayor Tambrin Tulawie's bodyguards and supporters who help the Marines during operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
 
"Sumasama sila sa ating mga kasundaluhan sa operations. Nagalit ang Abu Sayyaf kaya kahapon ay tinambangan yung ilang magpapamilya at ang ilan dun ay tauhan ni [Talipao] Vice Mayor Tambrin Tulawie," Hataman said in an earlier interview. —Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News