BASILAN Governor Hadjiman Hataman Saliman asked authorities to create a special investigation team to ensure the speedy resolution of Monday’s drive-by shooting that killed one town mayor of the province and injured another mayor along with his bodyguard.   

In a statement posted on Mr. Saliman’s Facebook page, he condemned the attack “in strongest terms possible” and called on “authorities concerned to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice the soonest time possible.”  

Al-Barka Mayor Darus S. Lajid died on the spot after being shot at by still unidentified men as the group disembarked from a speed boat that ferried them from Basilan to Zamboanga City’s Baliwasan Seaside at around 8 a.m., according to initial reports received by the governor.    

Akbar Mayor Alih A. Sali and one of his bodyguards, meanwhile, were injured and immediately brought to a hospital.   

Both mayors were running in the May 2022 elections.   

Mr. Lajid filed a certificate of candidacy for vice mayor under the national party Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats.  

Mr. Salih was running for reelection under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, which is affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that is currently holding leadership of the Bangsamoro region’s transition.   

The towns of Al-Barka and Akbar are both small municipalities in Basilan, each with a population of over 23,000.  

Basilan is an island province that is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It’s closest point of entry to mainland Mindanao is through Zamboanga City. — MSJ  

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