Eight killed as gunmen strafe fishing boat off Zamboanga waters

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 10, 2017) – Eight (8) crew members were killed in a strafing of a fishing boat off the high seas of Laud Siromon, Barangay Dita, Zamboanga City yesterday evening, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Spokesperson Maj. Filemon I. Tan Jr disclosed that the fishing boat, owned by a certain Mumar from Sangali and manned by 15 personnel, was successively shot by five (5) unidentified armed men, killing eight (8) of its crew members, while the other members jumped off the said boat and survived.

Tan also said that the motive of the gunmen was said to be personal grudge between two fishing groups and another angle considered is extortion.

At 8:40 a.m. today, Hon. Daud Bakil, barangay chairman of Sangali, Zamboanga City, appeared before the Sangali Police Station with Kervin Banahan, a resident of Sangali, to report the strafing incident, Tan added.

The other survivors are currently on Siromon Island in Zamboanga City.

The Joint Task Force Zamboanga is now closely looking and monitoring the developments in the area. The Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 is also currently in the area to assist the Curuan police as investigations are ongoing.