4 killed in poll-related violence in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Unidentified gunmen killed four persons, including a returning village chief, in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan, on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said the incident took place in Barangay Camamburingan at around 5:20 a.m.

“Armed men attacked the residence of Usan Asani, a former barangay chairperson of Camamburingan, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan province, resulting in his death and three other family members,” Uy said in a text message.

Asani, a former village chief, had filed his candidacy for the barangay polls.

A few hours after the incident, Hernie Asao, the incumbent Camamburingan village chair, showed up at the headquarters of the Army’s Eighth Infantry Battalion in Ungkaya Pukan with an M16 rifle.

He was arrested for violation of the gun ban and is being investigated for his possible role in the attack on Asani.
Personal grudge eyed

In Tagum City, authorities were looking into personal grudge as a possible motive in Saturday’s killing of Danilo Daanton, 44, the president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley and village chief of Barangay Banlag, according to Senior Supt. Marvin Pepino, the Compostela Valley police chief. —JULIE ALIPALA AND FRINSTON LIM