ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – One person died while five others were wounded in a strafing incident in Tong Umus, Tapiantana Island in Tabuan Lasa town, Basilan on Monday afternoon.
Brigadier General Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, said the incident took place at the port of Barangay Tong Umus past 2 p.m.
He identified the lone fatality as Ricardo Fabian, 47, of Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. Those wounded were identified as Andy Reyes, 30, of Barangay Mampang, Zamboanga City; Narrudin Gadjali, 29, of Talipao, Sulu; Alnasri Jammang, 29, of Talipao, Sulu; Bol Madjalis, 48, of Tungkil, Sulu; and Hakim Munib, 38, of Lanawan, Tabuan Lasa, Basilan.
Gobway said they are still establishing the reason why the six individuals were in Tabuan Lasa.
“Perhaps they could be flying voters. We cannot definitely say why they were there, the police are still conducting an investigation,” Gobway added.
In the morning, five shots were heard near the Bolo-Bolo Elementary School in Tabuan Lasa town, although no one was reported hurt, according to the Western Mindanao Command.
READ: 2 wounded in Basilan armed attack