LAMITAN CITY, Basilan – Police authorities have launched an extensive manhunt and follow-up investigation after a construction worker was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Sitio Little Cebu, Barangay Maganda, Lamitan City, on Sunday night, July 5.
The victim was identified as Omar Usman y Pelayo, a married construction worker and resident of Barangay Boton in the municipality of Mohammad Ajul, Basilan.
According to PLTCOL Elmer P. Solon, Chief of Police of the Lamitan City Police Station, the fatal shooting occurred at around 9:10 p.m. shortly after Usman arrived in Lamitan City from Mohammad Ajul.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victim intended to spend the night at the residence of his relatives in Sitio Little Cebu before reporting for construction work the following morning.
Authorities said Usman had just stepped out of a passenger tricycle and was in front of the house when two unidentified armed men suddenly approached and opened fire at close range.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the neck, both arms, and other parts of his body.
After the attack, the suspects immediately fled aboard a red Honda Beat motorcycle without a visible license plate and escaped toward an unknown direction.
Residents rushed the victim to a nearby hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, but attending physicians declared him dead on arrival.
Responding personnel from the Lamitan City Police Station, led by PLT Najir J. Jumdani, Deputy Chief of Police, immediately secured the crime scene with assistance from the 1403rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14B (RMFB 14B) and the 1st Basilan Provincial Mobile Force Company (BPMFC).
Crime Scene Investigation operatives recovered four spent cartridge cases from a caliber .45 pistol, which were properly photographed, documented, and preserved for forensic examination.
Police said the victim’s family declined to have the body subjected to a post-mortem examination. Instead, they immediately transported his remains to Mohammad Ajul for burial in accordance with Islamic customs and traditions.
Authorities have coordinated with Barangay Maganda officials and neighboring police stations to gather additional information, establish checkpoints, and intensify pursuit operations against the fleeing gunmen.
Investigators are also working to determine the identities of the attackers and establish the motive behind the killing.
PLTCOL Solon assured the public that the Lamitan City Police Station is exhausting all available investigative leads to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
The police also appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information that could help identify the suspects to immediately coordinate with the nearest police station as the investigation continues.