MALUSO, Basilan — Four civilians were wounded in a brazen shooting incident Monday evening, April 13, at a busy wharf area in Barangay Upper Port Holland, prompting a massive police manhunt against unidentified gunmen who fled the scene.
Police identified the victims as Benjar Jaji, 51, a store owner from Lower Port Holland; Jul Jaji, 38, a tricycle driver; Aldasher Masdal, a tricycle driver from Barangay Tubigan; and another still-unidentified male, also a tricycle driver and resident of Lower Port Holland. All sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies.
Initial investigation revealed that at around 7:40 p.m., four suspects riding tandem on two motorcycles—a black Yamaha NMAX and a white Honda ADV—suddenly opened fire at the victims using firearms of still undetermined caliber. The assailants quickly fled toward an unknown direction after the attack, leaving the victims bleeding at the scene.
Concerned citizens rushed the wounded individuals to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) in Maluso. Due to the severity of their injuries, they were later transferred to a hospital in Isabela City for further medical treatment.
Responding personnel from the Maluso Municipal Police Station, backed by operatives from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B, Basilan Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA), and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), immediately launched hot pursuit operations. However, the suspects managed to evade arrest.
Crime scene investigators recovered seven empty shells and one slug believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol. These pieces of evidence have been submitted for forensic examination to aid in identifying the weapons used and possibly linking them to the perpetrators.
Cerrazid A. Umabong, Provincial Director of the Basilan Police Provincial Office, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence.
“We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence. The Basilan Police Provincial Office has already intensified its operations, including dragnet and hot pursuit efforts, to ensure the identification and immediate arrest of the suspects. We call on the public to cooperate and report any information that may help in the investigation,” Umabong said.
Authorities have since activated dragnet operations and placed nearby police units on heightened alert. Coordination has also been established with the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAA), the 32nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and the Philippine Coast Guard to track down the suspects.
Investigators are also working to secure CCTV footage from nearby establishments, which may provide crucial leads on the identities and escape route of the attackers.
As of this writing, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities continue to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.