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Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Councilor, 4 others killed in Pagadian ambush
By Richel V. Umel and Al Jacinto
PAGADIAN CITY -- Five people, among them the head of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Pagadian City, were killed in an ambush in Barangay Tiguma at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Director Karim Sasapan Muamil identified the casualties as Sultan Abdul Marcaban, which represents the ABC in the City Council, and his military escorts Bazer Marcaban, Carmelito Bulawin, Edwin Mendez and Regie Pedraverde.
Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co said he ordered the police and military to track down the assailants, who escaped after the attack. "Police are investigating the motive of the killing. We will not leave any stones unturned in the investigation," Co said.
Police said Councilor Marcaban and the four soldiers were killed in the attack near the village of Tiguma. Marcaban was aboard a private vehicle when gunmen, who were on a van, opened fire with automatic weapons.
Regional military commander Major General Gabriel Habacon said they were closely working with the police to track down the attackers.
"Troops are now tracking down the gunmen and we've alerted other army units in the province," Habacon said.
Those wounded during the attack were Private Christopher Baes, Sergeant Silvestre Tapucol, and Apopandi Ledesma. All are in critical condition at the hospital. Soldiers belonging to the 1st Tabak Division Philippine Army were assigned as Marcaban's escorts.
Radio station news director Jun Dagumo of Pagadian said Marcaban and his bodyguards were on their way to his home in Barangay Tawagan Sur some four kilometers northeast of Pagadian City when the ambush occurred.
Marcaban was riding a black Isuzu Highlander vehicle while some of his bodyguards rode on a white police car as backup.
The ABC president had just attended the regular City Council session at the Pagadian City Hall.
Marcaban, a philanthropist, was president of the Federation of Barangay Seaweeds Planters' Association. He belonged to one of the most influential and respected clan in the southern Philippines and was a staunch government supporter.
In December, unidentified gunmen also ambushed and wounded Marcaban and his two bodyguards in the village of Tawagan Sur. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
(November 16, 2005 issue)
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