THREE people, including a teacher and a businessman, were killed in an ambush in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Tuesday, June 19.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the fatalities as Saddat Ibrahim Bongga, 42, public school teacher; his brother, Sammer, 37, businessman; and Saddam Lam, a fisherman.

Galvez said the victims were ambushed around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, in Purok 6, Sitio Quarry in the village of Kagawasan, Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur.

She said prior to the ambush, a Sports Utility Vehicle, with five unidentified persons onboard, arrived and parked in the area. Three of the men who were clad in camouflage uniform went out of the vehicle, while the other two stayed inside.

Galvez said the gunmen opened fire, fatally hitting the victims, who arrived aboard on a motorcycle.

One of the gunmen took the caliber .45 pistol of Sammer before they fled, she added.

Galvez said investigation continues to identify the perpetrators.