MANILA, Philippines – A construction worker employed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was hit by a bullet after unidentified armed men fired at the workers in Ungkaya Pukan town in Basilan early Saturday morning.

The injured victim was identified as 32-year-old Khomenie Mohammad.

Mohammad, a resident of Mohammad Ajul town, was rushed to the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Scout Ranger to receive treatment.

Pursuit operations against the suspects are ongoing.

Lt. Commander Drew Desany, Commander of the Task Force Archipelago, said there were no US soldiers in the area at the time of the incident.

Desany noted that their troops never visit known conflict areas in Basilan without added security.

Task Force Archipelago is a unit of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines based in Basilan. -- Report from Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN New Zamboanga