Hataman vows justice for ambushed workers

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) acting Gov. Mujiv Hataman yesterday vowed justice for those slain and wounded in an ambush in Sumisip, Basilan last Wednesday.

Hataman directed the police and military to investigate the ambush on the workers of a rubber plantation and make the perpetrators answerable to the law. 

Malacañang yesterday condemned the ambush which left six people dead and 22 others wounded.

“The information that we now have is that the investigation is underway, conducted by the PNP in that area, while the AFP will continue to provide support by way of securing the area,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also condemned the ambush-killing, describing it as an “act of barbarism.”

In a statement, Mohammad Ameen, who chairs the MILF secretariat, said the killing is “unfitted for people who still claim as believers.”

Ameen, however, urged civilians not to mingle with soldiers “who are natural targets of their enemies.”

Hataman, together with Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, personally visited the wake of five of the six fatalities at a funeral parlor here and extended President Aquino’s condolences.

Aquino, through Hataman, also extended cash assistance to the victims: P50,000 each to the families of those slain, P20,000 to those seriously wounded, and P10,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.

The cash assistance came from the discretionary funds of the regional government. 

“I don’t want this to happen again,” Hataman said.

The workers were waylaid last Wednesday morning while onboard a truck on their way to the rubber plantation in Barangay Sapah Bulak, Sumisip town. 

The victims work for the Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Integrated Development Cooperative.

Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, said additional troops have been deployed in the area to secure the workers.

Ang said a pursuit operation has been launched against the ambushers who were initially believed to be Abu Sayyaf militants.

“Give us time to solve this atrocity that is targeting the helpless workers of the plantation,” Ang said. – With John Unson, Alexis Romero