POLICE probers are looking into personal grudge as a possible motive in the killing of a Basilan mayor and a driver and the wounding of another Basilan mayor in Zamboanga City last Monday.
“Among the possible motives that the PNP is looking into is related to personal grudge or rido,” said Zamboanga City police chief Col. Rexmel Reyes in a statement.
“However, the investigators are not discounting the possibility of political-related concerns due to the fact that the victims are incumbent elected officials and are aspirants for the upcoming 2022 national and local elections,” added Reyes.
The fatality, Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid of Al-Barka town, is running for vice mayor against Murilin Humajatin Tokong in the local elections next year.
The other fatality, Barad Nuruddin, was a cousin and driver of Mayor Alih Awal Sali of Akbar town, also in Basilan, who was likewise injured in the attack.
Sali is seeking re-election in next year’s polls against Ujud Ujurun Jalil Gappal and Abdulgani Gaddung Usman.
The victims were shot by four assailants at the Baliwasan Seaside in Barangay Baliwasan on Monday morning, shortly after arriving at the area from Basilan on board a motorized boat.
Reyes said the victims were merely passing by Zamboanga City to attend a mayor’s league meeting in Davao City scheduled the following day.
“It is also important to note that the victims have their own residences in the city, which is one of the reasons why they decided to pass through Zamboanga before proceeding to Davao City,” said Reyes.
Reyes said the city police has formed Special Investigation Task Group Salih and Lajid to investigate the ambush.
He said investigators are checking the profile of the victims, including their political background.
Also, Reyes said they are collating the “profile of the persons of interests,” collecting close-circuit television footages and other information that will aid in the conduct of the investigation.
Reyes urged eyewitnesses to come forward and coordinate with the special task force. “We assure that all information provided are treated with utmost confidentiality,” he said.
Last month, Lajid signed a peace covenant with Al-Barka vice mayor Mujib Jakilan and promised to work for a clean, honest and peaceful 2022 elections. The covenant was brokered by the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan under Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway.
