Town exec killed, aide hurt in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A municipal councilor was killed while his driver was wounded in an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants in Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay yesterday afternoon.

Alvarez Dammang, 45, of Mabuhay town, and his driver Alamsa Sabturani, 35, were on a motorcycle when they were killed at around 1 p.m. in Purok 1, Barangay Poblacion, according to Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, chief of the Zamboanga region police.

The assailants were on another motorcycle and tailing the victims.

Investigation showed the assailants used long firearms based on bullet shells recovered at the crime scene.

“The victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were rushed to the Mabuhay Municipal Health Unit for treatment,” Ylagan said.

Dammang was declared dead on arrival while Sabturani was listed in critical condition.

A manhunt was launched for the suspects and checkpoints were established to block them.

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack, the second to be carried out against an elected official this year.

In February, Vice Mayor Restituto Colonge and municipal engineer Edgar Pampanga were killed in front of the municipal hall.

Two others were wounded in the incident.