ISABELA CITY, Basilan – In a suspected case of election-related violence, a candidate for barangay chairman in Barangay Kumamburingan, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan, was killed along with three other people in his own home on Sunday, the military said.
Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said witnesses reported armed men attacking the home of former barangay captain Usan Asani at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Asani was slain along with three others believed to be his relatives, and whose names were not released to the media.
Uy said according to the witnesses, the armed men only targeted the house of Asani, who recently filed his candidacy for barangay chairman.
The general said the military has not linked the attack to the Abu Sayyaf Group, which has long plagued the province.
“This attack is currently under investigation. So far we have no indicators linking this to a terror attack,” Uy said
The incumbent barangay chairman, Hernie Asao, is cooperating in the investigation, the general noted.
Asao reportedly showed up at the headquarters of the 18th Infantry Battalion in Ungkayapukan and had his M16 rifle and M203 grenade launcher confiscated.
He will be facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the gun ban.
Uy said securing the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Basilan is “challenging but the cooperation of residents was helpful.”
“We commend the cooperation of the locals and the swift action of our security forces. While we cannot commit to zero election-related incidents, our troops together with different organizations will continue to work overtime to ensure that such imminent incidents will remain isolated and resolved,” he said.
“We are geared to ensure a safe and credible election this May 14,” the general added.
Uy said Task Force Basilan deployed troops to pursue the assailants.
“Upon receiving reports from the locals, we immediately conducted support to law enforcement operations with our police counterparts to pursue the suspected gunmen,” he said.
