ZAMBOANGA CITY – A village chieftain from the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay and his companion were killed while two others wounded in a gun attack here that police claimed was carried out by a local cop.
This was confirmed by Major Shellamie Chang, the regional police spokeswoman, following the capture of Staff Sergeant Brazir Hamid, 37. His cohort remains at large, but is being hunted by the police.
Chang said Hamid and his unidentified companion shot the 56-year old Jul-Asmad Anjawang, the incumbent village chieftain of Pamansaan in Mabuhay town, whose group arrived in a car in Zamboanga City late Sunday.
The gunman also shot Jamar Anjawang, 50, the former Sangguniang Pambarangay of Pamansaan; Ibrahim Nasta, and Haibir Nasta, who is running for village councilor. The village chieftain’s son, Abdurajak Anjawang, 21, was unhurt from the shooting.
“The victims were aboard a Hi-Lux pickup truck and were allegedly shot by unidentified persons on board a Toyota Wigo car. Investigation disclosed that the victims came from Sinunuc village in Zamboanga City and parked their vehicle in front of the Petron Gasul along San Jose Gusu Road.”
“Jul-Asmad Anjawang, the incumbent barangay chairman, alighted from the passenger’s seat of the said vehicle when suddenly one of two gunmen approached Jul-Asmad and shot him, while the other gunman approached the driver’s side and fired thereat hitting Jamar Anjawang; Ibrahim Nasta; and Haibir Nasta who were also on board the vehicle,” Chang said.
She said the victims were rushed to Zamboanga City Medical Center wherein Jamar Anjawang was pronounced dead on arrival while Jul-Asmad Anjawang later died while undergoing medical treatment.
Chang said policemen were quick to respond to the shooting and managed to capture Hamid during a car chase. Hamid, a local resident and assigned with the Zamboanga City Traffic Enforcement Unit. “The arrested person was brought to Zamboanga City Police Station 11 for booking and proper disposition. Subject person’s issued service firearm was submitted to the Forensic Unit for ballistic examination,” she said, adding police investigators recovered empty shells fired from a .45-caliber pistol.
Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding, the regional police chief, ordered Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, the Zamboanga City police chief, to exhaust available resources in order to solve this particular incident and prevent future occurrence.
Masauding also ordered all his commanders to assess the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies by aligning efforts based on the prevalence of crime in their respective areas of responsibility. Masauding said he will not tolerate anyone from the police service who puts the organization in bad light.
“Any erring personnel found to be involved in any misconduct shall be dealt with under the law. This shooting incident is an isolated case, and it does not reflect the overall safety and security of the region, we want to reassure the public that your well-being remains our top priority,” he said. “Let us not allow this isolated incident to overshadow the strength and unity that define us. We will overcome this challenge, and we will emerge stronger than ever before.”
He also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly. “By working together, we can actively contribute to the prevention of crime and the preservation of peace within our community,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment