Marines clash with Guingona ambushers, 6 hurt

GINGOOG CITY--Six Marines were injured after a brief firefight with NPA bandits in the outskirts of this city early morning today (May 11).

Reports reaching the AFP headquarters stated that a platoon of Marines led by Lt Japson was conducting security operations in support to SAFE when they encountered undetermined number of bandits in Lawit village.

The bandits dispersed after 5 minutes of trading gunshots with the Marines who assaulted their positions. 

The members of the patrol found pools of blood along the route of withdrawal, indicating heavy casualties on the enemy side. 

A bandit lay dead while two others were wounded during the clash. 

The wounded military personnel were transported to a local hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to a military hospital.

The engaged troops were part of the Marine unit that was sent to hunt down the bandits who are believed responsible for the deadly ambush on a vehicle convoy carrying Mayor Ruth Guingona of this city a few weeks ago.

In another incident, one person was killed while another was wounded after the vehicle carrying Upi, Maguindanao mayoralty candidate Baba Omar, was ambushed by heavily armed men  along the road in North Upi at around 5:30pm today.

The local police is still investigating the motive of the crime.