Explosion disrupts military medical mission in Patikul
Credit to Author: jvicente| Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 07:29:21 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — Three mortar rounds exploded near the venue of a medical mission facilitated by military troops in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday morning, the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) reported.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Westmincom spokesperson, said around 11:30 a.m., three 60-mm mortar rounds exploded near a medical mission center conducted by the 6th Special Forces Battalion together with representatives of various government agencies and non-government organizations of Sulu.
The activities were conducted at the Tanum Elementary School in Brgy Tanum, Patikul, Sulu, intended to deliver basic services to around 2,000 “resident beneficiaries” coming from Brgy Tanum, Sandah, Patikul Higad and Kadday Mampallam of Patikul, Sulu.
Military troops suspected that the mortar rounds have been fired 500 meters away by Abu Sayyaf Group members from east direction of the medical mission site.
“The mortar rounds are estimated by troops to have been fired 500 meters away, from east direction, of the activity venue and believed to be initiated by the Abu Sayyaf Groups in the area intended to intimidate the populace from participating in the said initiative,” Besana said in a statement.
There were no casualties reported from the blast while troops of Joint Task Force of Sulu are still pursuing “the perpetrators of the shelling.”
Wesmincom chief Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega condemned the incident as it disrupted the medical mission for the benefit of Sulu residents.
“We strongly condemn this terroristic act resulting to the disruption of basic services delivery to the people,” Dela Vega said.
“They bring nothing but destruction that greatly retards achievement of peace and development in Sulu. This is another reason why we have to unite to put end to this menace in our society,” Dela Vega added. /jpv