Isabela City, Basilan Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman has called on the police to run after the suspects behind the killing of the president of the city’s Association of Barangay Captains (ABC).

The ABC president, Barangay Seaside Chairman Franklyn Tan, was shot outside a hotel in Zamboanga City. His companion, Barangay Kaumpurnah Zone 1 Chairman Jaider Jundam, was wounded.

Their other companion, Barangay Kaumpurnah Zone 2 Chairman Daryl Jalani, was not hurt.

“We join all peace-loving and law-abiding Isabeleños in expressing in the strongest terms possible, our collective outrage and condemnation of such heinous and cowardly act,” Hataman said in a statement.

Hataman said the city government will remain vigilant in the progress of the investigation and will ‘stand in undivided solidarity with the constituents of the aforementioned barangays during this most difficult time.’

“There is no space in any progressive democratic society, most especially in the City of Isabela, for the blatant disregard of the rule of law and the wanton disrespect for human life,” the city’s local chief executive added.

The three barangay captains were reportedly in Zamboanga City that day, February 25, 2024, to attend a meeting of an organization. They went outside the hotel to get something from their cars when they were shot at.

PROBE

For his part, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) Director, Brigadier General Bowenn Joey Masauding, has ordered the police director of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) to lead a comprehensive probe, with utmost urgency, in identifying the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Masauding said the PRO-9 is ‘committed to ensuring accountability and seeking justice for the victims and their loved ones.’

The investigating team will be supervised by the Regional Investigation Management Division of PRO-9.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Zamboanga City, and we will not tolerate such acts of violence in our jurisdiction. Rest assured that we will do everything in our power to address this incident and prevent such occurrences in the future,” Masauding said in a statement.

Police urged those who have knowledge and information regarding the incident to come forward.

“We will continue to work closely with the local authorities and relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and order in our region,” the PRO-9 said.