LAMITAN CITY, BASILAN — A barangay official from Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, was gunned down in broad daylight at the D’ Biel Bus Terminal in Barangay Malinis, Lamitan City, on Tuesday morning, October 21, 2025.
The victim was identified as Nadzri Tarahin y Asdana, 40, an Islamic teacher and Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo. According to initial police reports, Tarahin was waiting at the terminal when an unidentified gunman wearing a hooded jacket approached and shot him four times at close range around 10:30 AM.
The assailant quickly fled the scene aboard a black Toyota Hi-Lux (plate number 1749), accompanied by other individuals riding a white ADV motorcycle without a plate number.
Responding police officers from the Lamitan City Police Station (CPS) led by PL Marsin Sabaani (Deputy Chief of Police) and personnel from the 1403rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B under PMAJ Ferick Jay Gawaen Comafay immediately launched a pursuit operation. The victim was rushed to Lamitan District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Alfonso Bravo.
Through a follow-up operation, authorities successfully apprehended two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting. The suspects were identified as:
- Toh Lalung Acalul y Mayyarin, 41, resident of Sitio Kamalig, Brgy. Bohe Pahu, Ungkayapukan, Basilan; and
- Delpi Suratan u Asanuddin, 32, also from Sitio Kamalig, Bohe Pahu, Ungkayapukan, known as “Nas,” a member of the Intelligence Security Unit (ISU) assigned in Tabuk, Isabela City.
The two were arrested while riding a white ADV motorcycle without a plate number.
Recovered from their possession were:
- One (1) white ADV motorcycle (no plate number)
- Two (2) .45 caliber pistols with loaded magazines and live rounds
- Two (2) additional magazines and sixteen (16) rounds of live ammunition
- Twenty-eight (28) yellow heat-sealed plastic straws and seven (7) green straws containing suspected shabu
Authorities suspect revenge as the motive behind the shooting. The arrested suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and are now detained at the Lamitan City Police Station.
A complaint for Murder, violation of R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) is being prepared for inquest proceedings.
The Lamitan City Police continue their investigation to determine if the crime is linked to personal or political disputes and to identify other individuals possibly involved.