Sumisip, Basilan — Two members of a barangay peacekeeping team were killed in an ambush by unidentified armed men in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan, on Friday afternoon, October 25, 2024. The victims, identified as Hasid Dohong Bidalul, 37, from Barangay Tongsengal, and Ridzman Saratul Asdaman, 42, from Barangay Limbocandis, were both members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) under the Sumisip local government.
According to a report from the Basilan Provincial Police Office, Bidalul and Asdaman were traveling on a motorcycle around 1 p.m. when they were ambushed in a remote area of Tumahubong. Armed suspects reportedly lay in wait on the roadside, opening fire as the two peacekeepers passed by.
Sumisip Municipal Police Station, in collaboration with Tumahubong barangay officials, is actively investigating the incident and working to identify those responsible. Brig. Gen. Romeo Jaime Macapaz noted that authorities aim to file charges swiftly once the perpetrators are identified.
Both victims, of Yakan ethnicity, were well-regarded in their communities and known for their dedicated support of Sumisip’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. Local officials have expressed their condolences, highlighting the contributions of Bidalul and Asdaman in promoting peace and order in their barangays.
The motive behind the ambush remains under investigation, and the police have called on the public to come forward with any information that could help bring justice to the victims and their families.
