BASILAN lone district Representative Mujiv Hataman condemned on Monday, March 24, 2025, the senseless killing of Tingan Pioquinto Mancenido, an employee of the Isabela City Government.
The police said Mancenido was driving his motorcycle on the way to report for work when repeatedly shot by an unidentified gunman shortly before 8 a.m. Monday, March 24, in Sitio Buracan, Tabiawan village, Isebela City, Basilan.
Hataman said the killing of Mancenido has no place in a society where law and order prevail, and a great loss for families who rely on order and security in their community.
"This is a blow to our government institutions and to the peace that we have long cherished in Basilan. It is the right of every citizen -- not only the people of Isabela City but of all of Basilan and the entire country -- to live in peace, security and without fear of violence," Hataman said in a statement.
"The killing of Tingan is all the more concerning as it is the second case of the killing of a city hall employee this year, following the killing of Rix (Ricardo) La Guardia. This should be viewed as a serious threat to the security of our public servants and our citizens as a whole," he added.
La Guardia, 30, was in a gun attack happened around 6:45 p.m. of February 20, in San Rafael village, Isabela City.
At the time of the incident, La Guardia is the head of the secretariat of the City Peace and Order Council and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Hataman has urged the authorities-the police, the National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies-to thoroughly investigate the case and ensure that those behind the crime are held accountable.
"Our government must make it clear that justice is served and that we do not tolerate this kind of violence," Hataman said.
"We sympathize with Tingan's bereaved family. We cannot bring back his life, but we have a duty to ensure that it never happens again," he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)