ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A Shariah court judge was shot and killed by a lone unidentified assailant Wednesday afternoon in a village outside the town center of Jolo, Sulu.
The Task Group Zambasulta reported the police identified the victim as Ibnohajar Puntukan, married, presiding judge of 1st Shariah Circuit court based in Jolo.
Police investigation disclosed that on Wednesday, the victim was driving his service vehicle on his way home to Barangay Alat when he was gunned down about 2:45 p.m. at close range.
The police said the suspect immediately sped off aboard a motorcycle toward an unknown direction leaving the victim bloodied and unconscious.
The police said bystanders rushed the victim to the Sulu Provincial Hospital for treatment but he died about 10 p.m. later on the same day.
Police authorities suspected that the shooting incident might be related to the job of the victim but did not discount other motives.