DAVAO CITY (September 1) — A member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical  Units Active Auxiliaries (CAA) was killed  while trying to save a former comrade and his wife from their armed abductors, Friday night, August 31, along the shores of barangay Paican, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.
Unfortunately, five civilian residents were also killed in the course of the firefight.
Sirawai Municipal Mayor Gamar Janihim, in an interview with Newsline.ph said “Nauna kasing dumating ang CAFGU, at lumaban kasi dating kasamahan nya ang isang victim, nag respond kaagad ang mga sundalo at pulis kasi malapit lang ang detachment mga 75 meters lang”
The CAFGU was identified as Amsid M. Callon, was the first to respond in an effort to stop the abduction but he was hit before his companions from the nearby  detachment of Special Armed Forces (SAF) of the AFP arrived.
Janihim said aside from Callon, five were killed on the spot but one of the wounded expired at the hospital.
Other fatalities were identified as Absar Gumba, Kabiran Ginsing, Saddam Tahir, Jaayri Lumihig and Muslimin Adan.
Police Superintendent Michael Macapagal, assistant Provincial Commander of Zamboanga del Norte PNP, in a report stated “Five unidentified armed men wearing camougree uniform onboard a double engine pump boat arrived at barangay Piacan , Sirawai and were monitored by the AFP troops which resulted to the armed encounter.”
The report stated “Evading armed men forcibly took the couple Rufo Roda, 64, a retired CAFGU and his wife Helen, 62, and used them as human shield hostage to avoid pursuing troops, after which the armed with their victims boarded their boat towards the high seas of Sibuco.”
Janihim in an interview said “Lima yong on the spot, tapos namatay kagabi ang isa sa hospital, grabe ang binakbakay, sa report, ginawang human shield ang mag-asawa.”
The local government. according to Janihim assisted the burial of the victims and the one who is still confined at a local hospital.
The municipal information office of Sirawain in a facebook post stated “Mayor Gamar Janihim and the entire Sirawainons strongly condemn the brutal and savage act of lawlessness of these lawless elements in the recent incident.”
The same post  asked the residents to be vigilant “Do not let this kind of terrorists destroy our beloved municipality! Please let us help one another in order to achieve a more peaceful and safe place to live in.”
The residents were advised to immediately report to the AFP and the PNP any movement within their community.
The Facebook post added “Gusto natin ng pagbabago? Simulan natin sa ating mga sarili. Dahil hindi lamang tayo, kundi ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng ating mga pamilya ang makikinabang nito.
Lastly, our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.”
The troops of 42nd Infantry Battalion and PNP Sirawai immediately responded to the site and the Naval unit stationed in Sirawai was requested to conduct pursuit and sea blockade.
Janihim said the situation has returned to normal but he asked residents to be vigilant always.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
