Basilan Mayor Assassinated!

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 03 Mar) Security forces gunned down a man who shot dead Friday the mayor of Isabela City in the southern Philippine island of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said three bodyguards of mayor Luis Biel were also wounded in the attack at the City Hall around 12.15 p.m. when the gunman opened fire on them.

Police said it is investigating the attack and would not say who ordered the assassination or why was Biel killed. Officials said Biel was shot while his group was about to leave the building for lunch.

Just two weeks ago, angry Muslims protested an impending order by Biel to demolish one of the oldest mosque in Isabela City -- the Ihya Unsunna mosque -- to pave the way for the construction of a market depot.

It was unclear if the failed demolition of the mosque had any connection to the killing.

Ustadz Omar Suhod said demolishing the mosque is an attack to Islam. "This is our place of worship, this is the house of God and destroying the mosque will only bring troubles because the Muslims are angry. We appeal to our leaders to please spare the mosque," he said.

Angry Muslims have threatened to attack the island's only Catholic cathedral if the 13-year old mosque in downtown Isabela City is demolished.

"We will fight for right. There will be bloodshed is they destroy the mosque. Angry Muslims may also do the same to the Catholic Church downtown," Maruan Tandi said.

The protesters also tried to storm the Biel's house, but they backed out after a group of unidentified men armed with M16 automatic rifles rushed to secure the area.

Muslims villagers were guarding the mosque everyday to prevent its demolition. Those who were guarding the mosque said armed men were seen roaming the area and told the police and military authorities about it.

Aside from the Ihya Unsunna mosque, there are also dozens of mosques in Isabela City, where about 60,000 Muslims pray.