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| Southeast Asia |
| Boy killed by stray bullet in ongoing Basilan operation |
| 2016-08-03 |
| [Inquirer] An 8-year-old boy was killed when he was hit by a stray bullet in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan, during the ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf. Dr. Arlyn Jumaoas said the boy was referred to her for medical treatment on Friday. She said X-rays showed that a bullet was lodged inside the boy's head. He died Saturday afternoon. The physician said the boy was from Barangay Limbo Upas in Tipo-Tipo where Army soldiers and the Abu Sayyaf have been clashing. "This boy was inside his home with other kids (when he was hit by stray bullet)," Jumaoas added. Birgen Saharin, a local resident, said Philippine troops have been pounding some areas in her town, her family and neighbors. She said, "We are afraid to return home as we might get hit by the ground and aerial attacks." Mayor Darussalam Ladjid of Al Barka town said security forces have been conducting air strikes to flush the Abu Sayyaf from their forest lair. But military spokesman Filemon Tan Jr. said they have received no reports about a boy hit by stray bullet during air strikes. He said, "Our airstrikes are guided by forward observers who see the battle area and these areas are isolated from populated areas and communities. Our pilots engage targets based on our rules of engagement." |
| Posted by:ryuge |