Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 24) — Two soldiers were killed and five others were injured in a shooting in Lanao Del Sur, Tuesday morning, the military reported.
Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, jr., Acting Commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces), said the incident happened at 7 a.m. in Pagayawan. The casualties were from the 55th Infantry Battalion.
Gaerlan said a “scalawag trooper”, identified as Corporal Nao Mohammad Lassam, fired at the group while they were on their way to a clearing operation in an area where an ambush took place the other day.
“Thorough investigation, pursuit and manhunt of the perpetrator is on-going,” said Gaerlan.
Following this incident, Lanao Del Sur Governor Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong reiterated his call to extend martial law in Mindanao.
On December 10, President Rodrigo Duterte through his spokesperson announced that he will no longer extend martial law in Mindanao based on the unanimous recommendation of his defense advisers. This means martial law in the area will expire by December 31 this year.
READ: No extension of martial law in Mindanao
