Town vice mayor unscathed, 2 injured in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A vice mayor in one of the 11 towns in Basilan province survived an ambush that wounded two others, including a village chief, the police reported Friday.

The ambush, according to police, took place shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday in the village of Banah, Tipo-Tipo municipality.

Tipo-Tipo Vice Mayor Shuaib Maralil, who was believed to be the main target, escaped unscathed.

Wounded were Ahmad Atalan, the driver of Maralil, and Banah village chief Basal Abdullajid.

Investigation showed that Maralil’s group was aboard a jeep traveling from Lamitan City when a group of gunmen ambushed them in Barangay Banah.

Maralil believes the ambush was politically motivated and he was the main target.

Maralil has filed his certificate of candidacy for reelection in the municipality of Tipo-Tipo.

Investigation continues to unmask the suspects, the police said. (Sunnex)