ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (Mindanao Examiner / 19 Oct) – Four fishermen were killed by pirates in fierce gun battle at sea on Wednesday off the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, a regional army commander said.
Four pirates were also wounded in the fighting, but escaped even before security forces could arrive, said, Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said.
“We have reports that four fishermen were killed and four pirates are wounded in the clash. Military forces are tracking down the pirates,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
The fighting broke out at Malabago bay off the coastal village of Bibilik in Dumalinao town after a group of pirates attacked eight fishermen at around 5 a.m.
Ferrer said the fishermen were also members of the local Bantay-Dagat, a militia organization protecting the local fishermen against pirate attacks.
He said the military is closely coordinating with local village leaders and fishermen in the campaign against piracy. Many fishermen in the area have been arming themselves because of threats of pirate attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)
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