Basilan town administrator slain

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The municipal administrator of Hadji Mutamad, Basilan was gunned down while his driver was wounded in Isabela City on Friday.

Lt. Col. Junpikar Sitin, Isabela police chief, said Andy Atta, 51, who was a former policeman, died at the scene.

Atta’s driver Moner Mohammad was wounded and brought to a hospital for treatment.

The victims were on their way home when they were shot as their vehicle slowed down in Barangay Tabuk at past 11 a.m., according to initial reports.

The assailant managed to escape.

In December last year, Mayor Darusallam Lajid of Al-Barka in Basilan was killed in a gun attack. Akbar Mayor Alih Sali was wounded while his driver was also killed. The two mayors were attacked by unidentified motorcycle-riding men.

Last March, Anwar Halik, Tuburan municipal administrator, was wounded also in a gun attack.

Meanwhile, in Oriental Mindoro, Andres Abdon Jr., 61, an employee of the Calapan provincial agricultural office, was driving home his motorcycle when he was shot dead in Sitio Longos, Barangay Sta. Rita in Calapan City, Lt. Col. Anthony Ramos, city police chief, said.

Ramos said Abdon suffered two gunshot wounds.

Probers said the killing may be work-related or due to a personal grudge. – Ed Amoroso