A BARANGAY chairman and his three companions were killed in an ambush staged by a group of armed men in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan on Saturday afternoon, a military official reported yesterday.
Lt. Col. Alaric delos Santos, spokesman of the Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command, identified the fatality as Bin Saudi Sarakil, of Barangay, Ungkaya Pukan town also in Basilan.
Delos Santos could not immediately give the identities of Sarakil’s slain companions.
Delos Santos said Sarakil and his companions were aboard a car when they were waylaid by the suspect, led by a certain Otto, at around 4:30 p.m. in Sitio Bacud in Barangay Banah, Tipo-Tipo town.
“Based on the report, chairman Sarakil and his comrades were traversing the road…on board a red Honda Civic car when they were fired (upon) by a group of armed men, led by a certain Otto,” Delos Santos said.
Delos Santos said the military and the police are conducting further investigation to establish the motive behind the attack. He said they are looking into several angles, including rido or clan war.
“Our investigation is still ongoing,” said Delos Santos, adding the case is more of a police matter.
Several armed groups are known to operate in the province, including the Abu SAyyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed a peace accord with the government in 2014.
