ZAMBOANGA CITY—A post-election violence in a remote community in Basilan reportedly killed a couple and injured at least three others on Wednesday morning.
Basilan police director Col. Pedro Martirez said the incident happened at around 11 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Matikang in Lantawan town.
Martirez identified the fatalities as Omar Manasal, 37, and his wife, Nurmina, 39. Injured were Sandra Manasal, 45, and Benhad, 44, also both surnamed Manasal.
Manasal’s group was reportedly in a convoy of vehicles traveling toward the capital city of Isabela when they were ambushed by unknown assailants.
Initial investigation said the victims were followers of Suhod Manasal, a former councilor of Barangay Bagbagon, Lantawan.
Manasal was known as a supporter of the Ismael couple—Nursiya and Rustam—who were proclaimed on Wednesday as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, of Lantawan.
Martirez declined to comment if the incident is election-related, pending investigation.