BASILAN Governor听Hadjiman Hataman Saliman听asked authorities to create a special investigation team to ensure the speedy resolution of Monday鈥檚 drive-by shooting that killed one town mayor of the province and injured another mayor along with his bodyguard.听听听

In a statement posted on听Mr. Saliman’s Facebook page, he condemned the attack听鈥渋n strongest terms possible鈥澨齛nd听called on听鈥渁uthorities concerned to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice the soonest time possible.鈥澨听

Al-Barka听Mayor听Darus听S.听Lajid听died on the spot after being shot at by still unidentified men as the group disembarked from a speed boat that ferried them from Basilan to Zamboanga City鈥檚 Baliwasan Seaside at around 8 a.m., according to initial reports received by the governor.听听听听

Akbar Mayor Alih听A.听Sali听and one of his bodyguards, meanwhile, were injured and immediately brought to a hospital.听听听

Both mayors were running in the May 2022 elections.听听听

Mr. Lajid filed a certificate of candidacy for vice mayor under the national party Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats.听听

Mr. Salih was running for reelection under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, which is affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that is currently holding leadership of the Bangsamoro region鈥檚 transition.听听听

The towns of Al-Barka and Akbar are both small municipalities in Basilan, each with a population of over 23,000.听听

Basilan is an island province that is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It鈥檚 closest point of entry to mainland Mindanao is through Zamboanga听City.听鈥 MSJ听听

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR