NINE civilians were killed while 11 others wounded on Monday after suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) attacked a village in Basilan, reports reaching Camp Crame said.
The attack happened after the military rescued last Sunday a Vietnamese held by members of the terrorist group, also in the province.
The terrorists, wearing camouflage uniforms, reportedly swooped down on Barangay Tubigan in the municipality of Maluso in Basilan and went on a shooting rampage at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday.
The ASG members reportedly shot at houses and even civilians whom they came across on the streets, initially killing nine civilians and wounding 11.
They also burned at least four houses and the barangay’s health center.
Meanwhile, a Vietnamese kidnap victim who had been held captive by the ASG for months was rescued last Sunday by soldiers at Mataja Island, Basilan.
Do Trung Huiqe, a crew member of MV Royal 16, was rescued by elements of the Naval Task Group Basilan and Naval Task Force 61 following an operation.
The Vietnamese was abducted on November 11, 2016, in the waters of Coco Island, Basilan.
The Vietnamese government had earlier requested the military to intensify its monitoring and rescue of Vietnamese still held by the ASG.
Rear Adm. Rene V. Medina, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, congratulated his men for the rescue of the kidnap victim.
Last week Navy personnel also rescued Filipino kidnap victim Edmundo Ramos, who was snatched by the ASG on July 16, along with three others, while working on a provincial project in Sulu.
Ramos was rescued by Navy personnel, off the waters of Tapiantana, Basilan. His three companions were rescued days earlier.