Friday, June 08, 2007

3 Killed In Basilan Island Ambush

BASILAN ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 07 June) – Three people were killed in ambush Thursday in Lamitan town in Basilan island off the southern port city of Zamboanga, officials said.

Officials said the attack killed a father and his two sons near the village of Lumoton. The trio was traveling on a motorcycle when unidentified gunmen ambushed them.

“We have sent forces to help police track down the attackers,” Colonel Ramiro Alivio, commander of the Philippine Marines 1st Marine Brigade on the island.

He said troops put up roadblocks and more checkpoints in Basilan, a former stronghold of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

Police is still investigating the motive of the attack. Investigators recovered dozens of empty shells of rifle bullets.

The victims were supporters of the local mayor Roderick Furigay.

It was unknown if the attack had anything to do with politics or clan war. Vengeance killing is common on the island between warring clans. (Mindanao Examiner)

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