ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A Moro rebel turned business was killed in an ambush in waters off a coastal village of this city, police said Thursday.
Senior Superintendent Edwin de Ocampo, city police director, said the victim Akrab Jama died from several bullet wounds in different parts of his body.
Jama, 40, a small-time businessman, was from Tuburan town in Basilan Province. He was also a member of the Moro National Liberation Front.
Investigation disclosed that the victim was on board a boat delivering potable water from Sitio Mulu-muluan in Barangay Mercedes bound for Tigtabon Island when unidentified suspects on board a pumpboat chase him at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The gunmen fired at Jama killing the victim on the spot. The victim's boat skipper identified as Abduraji Jawari escaped unhurt after jumping from the boat.
Police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.