2 wounded in Tawi-Tawi sea ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two men were critically wounded, while the barangay chair of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi escaped unhurt, when they were ambushed by armed men on board three pump boats in the waters off Panglima Sugala town in the province.

A military report reaching here indicated that armed men on board three pump boats sprayed with automatic gunfire the sea craft of Barangay Lahay-Lahay chairman Almudz Sali, stepson of Tandubas Mayor Hja. Rahima Sali.

The military identified the wounded victims as Nadzrin Bariol Salambatan, 45, and Sasapan Asa Tibbo, 60, both residents of Barangay Balimbing in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.

According to the military Mayo Sali said the incident could have been politically motivated and tagged a certain Rhadskie, a resident of Sapa-Sapa town in Tawi-Tawi as the mastermind of the incident.

The incident took place about at 2 p.m., Monday, when the twin engine sea craft of Sali was approaching barangay Balimbing off Panglima Sugala town, the report said.

According to the military report, the sea craft’s skipper was able to punch the engine to high speed during the attack, allowing the barangay chairman to call for reinforcement from nearby police and military authorities.

Sensing the arrival of the authorities, the armed men on board sped off towards unknown directions, the military said.