3 killed in bus hijack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Armed men hijacked a passenger bus and killed an Army major, his wife and a marshal and wounded another before setting the vehicle on fire in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay Tuesday night, the military said.

A female passenger of the Rural Transit Bus, a certain Sitti Aliya Jundam, was reported missing after the incident in Barangay Upper Tungawan, Tungawan town, said Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command.

Cabangbang said the bus was en route to Zamboanga City from Pagadian City, capital of Zamboanga del Sur, when four armed men boarded it along the highway in the adjoining town of R.T Lim.

Upon reaching Barangay Upper Tungawan, the gunmen announced the hijacking and fired at Cafgu Active Auxiliary member Lito de la Cruz, one of two marshals seated at the back, killing him on the spot.

Cabangbang said Maj. Julistidi Arasid, of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion, who was also at the back along with his wife and son were shot, too.

“The Arasids were both killed but their son managed to escape,” Cabangbang said. 

He said another bus marshal, Federico Luchavez, managed to shoot back but was critically wounded. 

The Army condemned the bus attack, describing it as an “atrocious act” and vowing to go after those behind it. – With Alexis Romero