ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least five people, including a 3-year-old child, were killed while eight others were wounded when unidentified marauders attacked a passenger motorboat off Sulu, according to police and local officials here.
The victims were on board the motorized pump boat and were cruising from Parang town in the mainland of Sulu towards Tapul island when a still unidentified armed group attacked them late Thursday.
“It could be a misencounter kasi napagkamalan ng armed group na kalaban (they were mistaken for enemies),” Sulu police provincial director Superintendent Julasirim Kasim said.
Kasim said five victims died on the spot while eight others survived the attack but were wounded.
He said police were checking reports that some of the victims might have drowned.
Presidential Assistant for Sulu Amilbahar Amilasan said they learned about the incident after the victims were rushed to the Sulu Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The police immediately coordinated with Task Force Comet to conduct pursuit operations against the suspects, believed to be relatives of warring clans in Tapul island. – Roel Pareño