One soldier died while eight others, including two civilians were injured, in a clash in Basilan on Thursday night, a military officer said Friday.

It was the second ambush in Basilan this week. Last Oct.7, thirteen soldiers were wounded in an ambush in Tipo-tipo.

In an interview with the Philippines Shimbun on Friday, a military officer from the 1101st Infantry Brigade said the encounter occurred at Barangay Sabong in Lamitan around 6:44 pm.

"As of now, six of our personnel who have been evacuated from Lamitan District Hospital to Zamboanga City are now stable and are continuously receiving appropriate medical attention. Unfortunately, one of our personnel succumbed to his injuries earlier this morning," an Army officer source said.

The military officer did not give further details on the clash but he added the two civilians who sustained minor injuries were a father and his 10-year-old son.

"They sustained minor injuries. They received medical treatment at Lamitan District Hospital," the source said.

"The child was later transferred to Basilan Medical Center for further medical treatment but was later released right after that night. They were both stable before the transfer," he added.

In a statement, the 1101st Infantry Brigade said the "circumstances surrounding the incident are being thoroughly assessed by the concerned authorities."

"Appropriate security measures are likewise undertaken to protect our troops and nearby communities," it stated. Robina Asido/PHS