Sulu town police chief, 3 others killed in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – The police chief of a Sulu municipality and three others – two police Special Action Force (SAF) members and a civilian – were killed while five others were wounded when armed men ambushed a convoy of a town mayor last Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra, Sulu police director, said SAF elements led by Senior Inspector Joelito Orias and Inspector Nasiruddin Jailani, Omar town police chief, were providing security to the convoy of Omar Mayor Firhana Mohammad when they were waylaid in Sitio 55, Barangay Lahing-Lahing in Omar town at around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Firefight ensued for 15 minutes, resulting in the death of Jailani, PO2s Ferdinand Gumiran and Bander Majidul, both SAF members, and a civilian.

Police believe that a number of the ambushers were wounded in the firefight.

Those wounded were rushed to the Sulu Provincial Hospital where Jailani and the civilian died while undergoing treatment.

The SAF men were escorting Mohammad who was supposed to assume office but which was delayed due to a protest.

Police suspect that the ambuscade was politically motivated.