SUMISIP, Basilan — A suspect in the fatal shooting of a husband and wife whose bodies were discovered in a remote rubber plantation in Barangay Limbocandis, Sumisip, has been arrested less than 24 hours after the crime following a joint military and police manhunt, authorities said Monday, July 6.
The victims were identified as Hakim Sabturani Bancil, 42, a married rubber tapper, and his wife, Muhayyra S. Samsawi, 33, both residents of Sitio Campo, Barangay Mangal, Sumisip. The couple sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene.
According to the 32nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion, the shooting occurred at around 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, in Sitio Batu Piat, Barangay Limbocandis, where the couple had gone to carry out their routine rubber tapping activities.
Initial investigation revealed that the victims were allegedly attacked by Mani Bancil, who reportedly harbored a personal grudge against them. Authorities said the suspect allegedly used a .45-caliber pistol in the attack.
Earlier, the Sumisip Municipal Police Station received a report from a concerned citizen regarding the discovery of two bodies in a remote grassy area approximately 13 kilometers from the municipal police station.
Police personnel led by Police Captain Jakaria J. Muin, Chief of Police of Sumisip, immediately responded to the area together with personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B under Police Captain Franklin G. Amistoso, Officer-in-Charge, in coordination with troops from the 32nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Responding teams found the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in a grassy lowland area. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of the body.
Relatives told investigators that the couple had left home early Sunday morning for their regular rubber tapping work but failed to return by around 2 p.m., prompting family members to search for them. Their bodies were later discovered by barangay officials and relatives in the plantation area.
The victims’ remains were recovered from the crime scene and brought back to their residence in Barangay Mangal for burial preparations.
Swift pursuit leads to arrest
Immediately after receiving information that the suspect had fled toward Barangay Bukut Umus in the neighboring municipality of Tabuan Lasa, Lt. Col. Gerwin T. Maghuyop, commanding officer of the 32nd Infantry (Daredevil) Battalion, ordered the immediate deployment of combat troops to track down the suspect.
The pursuit operation was led by Lt. Col. Maghuyop together with Captain Jan Bert C. Madlangbayan, Operations Officer, and the battalion’s Scout Platoon under Second Lieutenant Jerome Araneta.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with the 20th Special Forces Company of the 6th Special Forces Battalion, the Sumisip Municipal Police Station, and the 401st Battalion, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B.
At around 9:40 a.m. on Monday, July 6, joint operating troops successfully located and arrested the suspect in Barangay Bukut Umus without any resistance.
Following his arrest, the suspect was turned over by the 32nd Infantry Battalion to the Sumisip Municipal Police Station for the filing of appropriate criminal charges and further legal proceedings.
Lt. Col. Maghuyop said the operation highlighted the strong coordination among security forces in ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are swiftly brought to justice.
“This successful operation reflects the professionalism, dedication, and close coordination of our troops and partner law enforcement agencies. The 32nd Infantry Battalion remains steadfast in its commitment to support law enforcement efforts and ensure that individuals who commit crimes are brought before the courts. We also thank the civilians who provided timely information that contributed to the suspect’s immediate apprehension,” Maghuyop said.
Earlier, Sumisip Mayor Julz Hataman strongly condemned the brutal killing and directed the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and all concerned security agencies to exhaust every available resource in identifying and apprehending those responsible.
“I strongly condemn this senseless and brutal killing,” Hataman said in an earlier statement.
“I have directed our police, military, and all security forces to utilize every available resource to identify, locate, and arrest the perpetrators at the soonest possible time. We will not allow criminals to undermine the peace and security of Sumisip. Justice must be served for the victims and their grieving family,” the mayor added.
The 32nd Infantry Battalion reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Philippine National Police, other security agencies, and local communities to preserve peace and order across Basilan, emphasizing that sustained inter-agency cooperation and public support remain vital in preventing violence and ensuring the safety of residents.
Police investigators are now preparing the appropriate criminal charges against the suspect as the investigation into the double murder continues.