ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four unidentified gunmen shot two Basilan town Mayors in Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City at around 8:00 in the morning today.
Police identified the fatality as Albarka Municipal Mayor Lajid Darus while Akbar Municipal Mayor Alih Salih was also hit but he is now in a hospital.
The driver of Salih was also reportedly killed in the incident.
The police said the Mayors just disembarked from a ferry and were walking in an alley when the gunmen attacked them.
In an initial statement Monday, the Zamboanga City Police Office said the two mayors were attacked by four men on motorcycles .
Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman, chairperson of the inter-agency Provincial Peace and Order Council, has asked the provincial police to cooperate with the Zamboanga City police in identifying suspects in the attack.
Families of the victims believe the incident is politically motivated.
