Four supporters of a mayoral candidate in Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan were killed in a shootout on the morning of Sunday, May 11. According to police and Army officials, the incident was election-related and caused great fear among area residents.
Groups of two rival candidates exchanged gunfire in Barangay Langil. Officials of the Police Regional Office-BAR and the Basilan Provincial Peace and Order Council confirmed the incident. The shooting occurred for reasons that are still unclear.
According to Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon of the 101st Infantry Brigade, they immediately sent a peacekeeping team to separate the two groups. His unit covers 11 towns and 2 cities in Basilan.
PRO-BAR's Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz said they are currently conducting an investigation to determine who fired first. Those responsible will be charged to court.
