MANILA, Philippines — A mayor of Basilan was killed, while another mayor was critically wounded in a shooting incident in Zamboanga City on Monday.
Al-Barka Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, while Akbar Mayor Alih Awal Sali was in critical condition, Lt. Mary Agnes Miro of Zamboanga City police told radio station DZBB.
Meanwhile, Sali’s security escort identified as Barad Nuruddin was also killed during the incident.
Based on the initial investigation, four unidentified motorcycle riding suspects shot the victims using caliber-45 pistols at Seaside near Brgy. Baliwasan at around 8:30 a.m, as they disembarked from a vessel that transported them from Basilan.
The suspects fled toward the inner portion of Seaside after the incident using a motorboat.
Police have set up checkpoints to catch the suspects while an investigation is underway.
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman has condemned the incident and called for a special investigating team to be created to look into the case.