Egyptian educator gunned down in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An Egyptian educator was shot dead by an unidentified man in Barangay Lumbangan here Saturday night.

Police said Andalrahman Elshawadfy Mohammed Elfaky was driving his car with a companion when the incident happened at 6:20 p.m.

Elfaky, 47, was the officer-in-charge of the Asia Academic School in Barangay Tetuan.

He was also reported to have established a small Islamic religious school at Purveyor’s Village in Cotabato City a year ago.

Initial investigation showed Elfaky was on his way to check a property in Barangay Lumbangan. Closed circuit television footage showed the gunman on a motorcycle pulling up and shooting Elfaky in his car.

Emergency responders rushed Elfaky to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival from multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators are looking for his companion to shed light on the incident.

According to local officials, the Egyptian educator was popular in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for his missionary works.

Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates, Zamboanga Peninsula police director, said Elfaky was also known in the Islamic religious community in Cotabato City for his participation in activities of interfaith peace advocacy groups that promote religious solidarity among Muslims, Christians and indigenous communities.

“He was a very courteous, polite and humble person,” said Lucky Abdullah, a datu in Maguindanao.