ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Police are looking at a clan war or rido as the motive for an ambush in Sirawi, Zamboanga del Norte on Thursday that left a barangay captain and four of his family members dead.
Allie Manangca, chairman of Barangay Balubuan; his siblings Ani and Alfahad, and their relatives Anisa Manangca and Shilben Basa were killed in the gun attack.
Alwaf Manangca and Norman Tulino were wounded. They were initially brought to the Sirawai Health Unit for treatment and later transferred to Siocon District Hospital.
The victims were in a Toyota Hilux when they were waylaid in Barangay Piña.
Col. Glenn Dulawan, Zamboanga del Norte police director, said probers are eyeing a grudge as the motive for the killing.
The family of Manangca reportedly refused to give a statement to the police.
He said the attack could be related to a shooting in December last year. The Manangcas were suspected to be involved in that incident.
Police said guns-for-hire could be behind the ambush on Thursday, citing the high-powered firearms used.
Dulawan appealed to the Sirawai municipal government and town residents to cooperate with local authorities to prevent clashes between warring clans.