ZAMBOANGA CITY – An election was gunned down Tuesday afternoon in a daring attack in Isabela City in the restive Muslim province of Basilan, officials said.
Officials said Ruayna Sayyadi was shot by a gunman at the satellite office of the Commission on Elections in the village of Doña Ramona. It was unknown how the assailant managed to carry out the attack in the city where the police headquarters are located.
No other details were made available by security and local government officials, but Rep. Mujiv Hataman, whose wife Djalia is the mayor of Isabela, condemned the murder.
“Mariin nating kinokondena ang pamamaril at pagpatay sa isang election officer ng Al-Barka Municipality ng Basilan na nangyari mismo sa labas lamang ng kanyang tanggapan at napakalapit sa isang paaralan sa Isabela City nitong araw lamang. Ang pagpatay kay Ms. Ruayna Sayyadi na dati ring election officer ng Sumisip, Basilan ay hindi lamang isang nakapangingilabot na krimen kundi isang paglapastangan sa ating demokrasya kung ito ay konektado sa kanyang trabaho bilang opisyal ng Comelec,” he said.
Hataman said the slain poll officer was his friend and he called on the police to investigate the killing. “I call on the authorities to investigate this crime thoroughly, leave no stone unturned and bring the perpetrators to justice. Pag-ibayuhin natin ang pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa ating lalawigan lalo na’t malayo na ang ating narating sa ating pagsisikap,” he said.
Sayadi’s family did not issue any statement. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing, but gun attacks in Basilan are not uncommon due to the presence of rebel groups and guns-for-hire. (Mindanao Examiner)
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