Zamboanga del Norte vice mayor, 2 escorts slain in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A vice mayor of a town in Zamboanga del Norte and his two escorts were killed in an ambush in Siocon town before noon yesterday. 

Vice Mayor Gani Esmali of Baliguian, Pat. Godelito Bongcac and Jaymalin Tunggal were declared dead on arrival at the Siocon District Hospital.

Their companion Abdulajid Ibno Bairula was wounded and reportedly remains in critical condition in the same hospital.

Maj. Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said the victims were in an Isuzu MUX when they were waylaid in Sitio Barazon, Barangay Sta. Maria. 

Maj. Edison Acop, Siocon police chief, said a manhunt for the assailants, who fled on a gray Toyota Hilux that sped toward Baliguian, is ongoing.  

Acop said 49 bullets shells for an M16 and a magazine with 18 bullets were recovered at the scene. 

Probers have yet to determine the motive for the killing. 

Maj. John Arvin Encinas, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said ground troops in Siocon are assisting the police in pursuit operations against the killers.

 Esmali is the first elected local government official killed in a gun attack this year.