Basilan village chief survives attack in Zamboanga City

Police investigators probe the circumstances of the shooting of Basilan village chief Salam Yusop in his residence in Barangay Lunzuran, Zamboanga City on Monday night. PHOTO FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY POLICE OFFICE

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A village chief of Sumisip, Basilan, who is a resident of this city, survived an attack on Monday night in Barangay Lunzuran here.

Police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, city police director, identified the victim as Salam Mujala Yusop, 57, barangay chairman of Lower Benembengan, Sumisip, but a resident of Lunzuran.

Citing reports from Zamboanga City Police Station 5, Yusop was exercising inside his residence at Yang’s Resort when a suspect appeared and started shooting, hitting the victim’s left leg.

Yusop later told police that the suspect is Vicente Locson, a resident of Barangay Timpul in Isabela City, Basilan.

PHOTO FROM ZAMBOANGA CITY POLICE OFFICE

Yusop told police investigators that the suspect entered his house then shot him. Yusop said he was able to run towards the 2nd floor of the house and retrieved his 9mm pistol and was able to retaliate against the suspect.

Yusop was brought to Zamboanga Peninsula Hospital by his family.

“He is conscious and in stable condition while under-going medical treatment. The suspect fled towards an unknown direction within Barangay Lunzuran,” Lorenzo said.

Recovered from the crime scene were nine fired cartridges and one live ammunition from unknown caliber.

Lorenzo had ordered a hot-pursuit operation against the suspect.

Yusop is the 60th victim of a shooting incident in Zamboanga City since January this year.

RELATED STORY:

Ex-Basilan mayor among Ateneo gun attack victims 

JPV