If requested, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would be ready to probe the killing last Dec. 6 in Zamboanga City of Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid of Al-Barka, Basilan.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday, Dec. 7, said: “We will see first if the local police could solve it. But, I will alert the NBI to extend assistance if requested anytime.”
Lajid was killed during an attack Monday morning, Dec. 6, at a wharf in Barangay Baliwasan in Zamboanga City. Also killed during the incident was Barad Nuruddin, the cousin and security escort of Mayor Ali Awal Sali of Akbar town. Sali was also wounded during the incident.
A police report said that the mayors and their security escorts had just alighted from their speedboat at a wharf in Barangay Baliwasan when four gunmen opened fire.
Lajid and Nuruddin were rushed to the hospital but were declared dead on arrival.