PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) units in Zamboanga City were mobilized to conduct hot pursuit operations against the suspects behind the gun attack on two Basilan mayors on Monday morning, Philippine National Police chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos said on Monday.

“I have directed Police Lieutenant Gen. Chiquito Malayo, PNP Area Commander for Western Mindanao to coordinate pursuit operations by PNP Units of Police Regional Office 9 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region against the gunmen who allegedly escaped aboard a motorized boat,” the top cop said.

“Because the pursuit may involve overlapping regional jurisdictions, the APC-WM is in a better position to coordinate operations by PNP Regional and National Support Units, as well as with AFP and Coast Guard Units in the area,” the Chief PNP added.

Initial reports reaching the PNP Command Center in Camp Crame disclosed that four gunmen attacked Mayor Alih Awal Sali of Akbar Basilan, Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid of Al-Barka Basilan; and driver Barad Nuruddin at 8:31 a.m. in Seaside, Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga City.

The victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical treatment but Mayor Darussalam Lajid and the driver Nuriddin were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician , the report said.

The suspects fled after the commission of the crime with motorized boat and one white car as their gate away vehicles.

Operating units of the Zamboanga City Police Office in coordination with other operating units immediately provided quick response through the conduct of check/chokepoint for the possible arrest of the suspects.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon