Two helicopters reportedly carrying a Marine general and members of a government-owned television network were hit by enemy fire on Sunday while flying over the vicinity of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan, where a bloody encounter with bandits resulted in heavy government losses last week.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, said two members of the NBN4 television crew were slightly hurt in the attack that forced the two UH-1H Philippine Air Forces helicopters to an emergency landing in Lamitan town, also in Basilan.

Information reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed the helicopters carrying 1st Marine Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero and members of the media just came from a flag raising ceremony at a military detachment in Sitio Kurelem, Barangay Silangkum, Ungkaya Pukan and where on their way back to Zamboanga City when hit by enemy fire at 10 a.m.

Brawner said the helicopters were on their way back to Zamboanga City when they encountered hostile fire, forcing them to make emergency landings in Barangay Tumawas, Lamitan City.

Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) public information office chief, 1Lt. Steffani Cacho, said two members of the media sustained splinter wounds from the incident.

She also said that from what they gathered, Guerrero was no longer aboard any of the helicopters when it was hit by enemy fire.

The passengers of the two helicopters were immediately secured by troops and civilian volunteers upon landing.