ZAMBOANGA CITY – A barangay chairperson and three of his companions were killed when they were ambushed by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members in a remote sitio of Barangay Banah in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, Saturday, January 9.
A belated report reach this city said, Monday, Malata Barangay Chairperson Bin Saudi Sarakil of Ungkaya Pukan town was traveling onboard a car with three companions in Sitio Banah when they were waylaid by armed men.
According to Armed Force of the Philippines- Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Sarakil and his companions died on-the-spot due to gunshot wounds sustained during the ambush.
Vinluan said soldiers from the18th Infantry Battalion immediately responded to the area after hearing the burst of automatic gunfire at Sitio Bacud in Barangay Banah, Tipo-Tipo town
“Our troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion immediately responded to the area and found the bodies of the victims bathed with their owned blood,” Vinluan. added.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Basilan Commander Col. Domingo Gobway said the victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of their bodies that caused their instantaneous death.
“We are still conducting the in-depth investigation as to whose (ASG) followers were responsible in the ambushed,” Col. Gobway added.
Unkaya Pukan and Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan province was identified by the military as the stronghold of the ASG in the province.