ISABELA CITY – Unidentified gunmen attacked and fatally shot a young Islamic religious leader and wounded four others in Sumisip town in the restive Muslim province of Basilan, reports said Saturday.
The 20-year old iman, Mutilam Como Ajanab, was shot outside his house shortly after Friday’s prayer around 7 p.m. in Sapa Bulak village. The attack also wounded Rashid Hajibain Suraman, 48; Abdulmalik Suraman Jumlatal, 34; Hafidz Suraman Jumlatal, 23; Harisa Hajibain Hadjil, 15.
The armed men fled after the shooting. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing and police said they are investigating the attack. Earlier this month, four soldiers were also wounded in fierce clashes with Abu Sayyaf militants in the town’s Sucaten village after security forces launched a combat operation against the pro-Islamic State fighters.
Last May, a lone gunman also shot dead a village chieftain of Sumisip town in a daring broad daylight attack outside a fast food restaurant in downtown Isabela City, the provincial capital. Jamiron Ajijon, chairman of the village called Marang, was shot several times in the head.
The motive of the attack was unknown, but the killing occurred during the holy month of Ramadan. Gun attacks are not uncommon in Basilan where hired guns and rebel groups operate in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)
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