A TOWN mayor from Basilan and a driver were killed while another mayor from Basilan was injured when they were ambushed by four still unidentified assailants in Zamboanga City yesterday morning.
Killed were Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid of Al-Barka town, and Barad Nuruddin, a cousin and driver of Mayor Alih Awal Sali of Akbar town, who was injured in the attack.
Police said Sali was brought to a hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Lajid is running for vice mayor of Al-Barka town, under Lakas CMD, in next year’s elections, against Murilin Humajatin Tokong of the PDP Laban.
Sali, of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, is seeking re-election against Ujud Ujurun Jalil Gappal of PDP Laban and Abdulgani Gaddung Usman, an independent candidate.
Zamboanga City police spokeswoman Lt. Mary Agnes Miro said the three were shot by the four suspects at the Baliwasan Seaside in Barangay Baliwasan at around 8:31 a.m., shortly after they arrived in the area from Basilan on a motorized boat.
“The suspects suddenly appeared and shot the victims,” said Miro, adding the suspects escaped aboard a motorized boat.
PNP chief Dionardo Carlos has ordered police units to conduct pursuit operations against the suspects.
Miro said security personnel in the area responded to the scene and brought the victims to the hospital. Miro said Lajid and Nurrudin died upon arrival at the hospital.
“The other victim, Mayor Alih Awal Sali, is confined in the hospital and is in critical condition,” said Miro.
Recovered at the scene were five empty shells from a cal. 45 pistol.
Miro said police probers are still trying to establish the identities of the suspects and their motive.
“Our investigation is continuing relative to the incident… Continuous thorough investigation is being conducted by this office,” said Miro.
Last month, Lajid signed a peace covenant with Al-Barka Vice Mayor Mujib Jakilan, supposedly ending a three-month conflict. The covenant was brokered by the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan under Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway.
Lajid and Jailan promised to work for clean, honest, and peaceful elections in May next year.