3 dead, 7 wounded in Basilan ambush

MANILA, Philippines – Three persons were killed while seven others wounded in an ambush staged by still unidentified men in Lantawan town, Basilan yesterday morning.

Police identified the fatalities as Munding Alay, Junifer Agbay and Kadafi Aliuddin, all residents of Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan. They suffered gunshot wounds in the body.

Investigators said the seven wounded victims were Julasini Aliuddin, Dirioh Martinez, Graciano Martinez, Rene Parado, Ivan Penalosa, Suwaib Angal and Arsi Abdu, workers of the Tabarmc coconut plantation.

Reports reaching Camp Crame indicated that the ambush took place at around 6:45 a.m. yesterday at Sitio Pangasaan, Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were on board their vehicle for work, when unidentified armed men peppered their vehicle with bullets.

All wounded victims were rushed to the Alano Hospital, Isabela City while the suspects fled toward an unknown direction after the said incident.

Police theorized that the attack could be part of a family feud between people of two barangays – Bagbagon and Tairan that has been ongoing since 1970.

Reports had it that there were efforts from police and military to settle the dispute but to no avail as the conflicts continue.  – With Roel Pareño