Attack at MSU-Marawi: 3 soldiers killed, 10 hurt.

BY AMIR MAWALLIL
August 10, 2012

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Alleged members of a criminal syndicate ambushed a group of Army soldiers patrolling in the vicinity of the Mindanao State University’s main campus (MSU) in Marawi City late Wednesday night, August 8, killing 3 troops and wounding 10 others.

At least 20 students were hurt in the crossfire, according to school authorities. Two soldiers in critical condition are now in Sanitarium Hospital in Iligan City, according to Capt Alberto Caber, spokesman of the 1st division.

Mindanews reported that two civilians also died, including a 10-year-old boy, when the same gang attacked another Army base guarding the Agus hydro dam in the city. We could not independently confirm this.

The university attack occurred while troops belonging to the 65th infantry battalion on board two military trucks were patrolling the 433-hectare MSU compound at about 9 pm Wednesday, according to the Army’s 1st infantry division.
Col Daniel Lucero, commander of the 103rd infantry brigade, said the soldiers were responding to indiscriminate shots at the MSU campus when “ambushed by members of the armed gang.”

Lucero identified the gang leader as Otik Gamal, who has about 20 followers, mostly relatives of Marawi City Mayor Fajad Salec, according to sources quoted by the Army officer.

“The university is closed right now; none can enter nor leave the campus. Students are scared; rifles are fired inside the campus,” Lucero said in Filipino early Thursday morning.

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