A MILITIAMAN was killed, while an eight-year-old girl survived although wounded in a gun attack in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Thursday, August 30.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, in Purok Tula-Tula, Barangay Tarakan, Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

Galvez identified the fatality as Marjon Rondina, 26, a militiaman under the Army's 5th Infantry Battalion.

Wounded was Rosel Rondina Amodia, 8, the niece of Marjon. She was rushed to the Dinas Rural Health Unit and later transferred to Margosatubig Regional Hospital.

Galvez said initial investigation showed the victims were asleep when unidentified persons, armed with high-powered firearms, arrived and opened fire, killing Marjon instantly.

The responding policemen recovered from the crime scene 18 empty shells of M-16 Armalite rifle and six empty shells of caliber .45 pistol and a deformed slug of caliber .45 pistol.

Galvez said an in-depth probe is being conducted to establish the possible motives that could lead to the identities and arrest of the suspects. (SunStar Philippines)