DAVAO City Mayor and Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) chairman Sara Duterte-Carpio condemned the killing of her partymate Al-Barka, Basilan Mayor Darussalam Saguindilan Lajid.
In an issued statement Tuesday, December 7, Duterte-Carpio confirmed that Lajid is a Lakas-CMD member and "a personal friend."
"His untimely demise is truly tragic and heartbreaking," she said.
"This cowardly act deserves our collective outrage and condemnation," she added.
Lajid and his aide Barad Nuruddin were killed in a gun attack Monday, December 6, in Zamboanga City.
Akbar municipality Mayor Alih Awal Sali, meanwhile, was wounded and was hospitalized.
Lajid and Nuruddin, cousin and driver of Sali, respectively, were rushed to the hospital but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physicians.
He said initial investigation showed that the victims came from Basilan and had just disembarked from a speed boat that brought them to Zamboanga City.
He said the victims were walking toward their waiting vehicles when repeatedly shot with caliber .45 pistols by four gunmen aboard two motorcycles.
The gunmen, who remained unidentified, sped off after the incident.
The mayor also offered her condolences to the family.
"We also wish for the speedy recovery of Mayor Sali, member of the local United Bangsamoro Party but also a member of the Lakas-CMD in Basilan," Duterte-Carpio said. (With reports from SunStar Philippines)