TWO people, including a hired killer and an eight-year-old girl were killed while two others were wounded in a shootout in Basilan province, the police reported on Monday, November 20.
The Isabela City police identified the slain alleged hired killer as Ben Hapas. The identity of the eight-year-old girl was not available.
Wounded were Taila Singapula, 64 and Dennis Baakal, a militiaman. They were taken to the hospital for medication.
The police said the shootout occurred around 4 p.m., Sunday, November 19, in the village of Tampalan, Malamawi Island, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.
The police said that prior to the shootout, Hapas along with several armed companions arrived in the village of Tampalan aboard a motorized banca and was for Baakal.
The police said the shootout ensued when the group of Hapas opened fire upon seeing the arriving policemen who responded to the reported presence of gunmen in the village of Tampalan.
The police said Hapas, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds died on the spot. The eight-year-old girl died after she was hit by stray bullet.
The police reported that Hapas, a resient of Moboh Basakan, Mohammad Ajul town, was allegedly behind the killing of a village councilor Alhassen Kaya of Tampalan.
The police are tracking down the whereabouts of Hapas’s companions who fled following the shootout.
Recovered from the possession of Hapas was a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition.
Also recovered was a motorboat used by Hapas’ group in traveling to Tampalan village, the police said. (SunStar Philippines)