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Basilan mayor, 3 others slain in ambush


By Julie Alipala
Mindanao Bureau, Agence France-Presse

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- (UPDATE 3) The mayor of Albarkah, Basilan and three other persons, including a woman, were killed in an ambush in Tipo-tipo Central town Thursday afternoon, police said.

Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police director, said Mayor Karam Jakilan, his driver, a third man, and a woman were killed while three other people in the convoy, including a police officer, were wounded in the ambush between Badja and Kabangalan villages past 4 p.m.

"We are looking into 'rido' as one of the motives for the [mayor's] killing," said Bensali Jabarani, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director.

Rido refers to blood feuds that often go unresolved over several generations.

But he did not identify who the rival clan might be.

Police in the province have been placed on alert in expectation of retaliation by Jakilan's followers.

Jakilan was a known ally of the late congressman Wahab Akbar, who was killed in the Batasan Pambansa bomb attack in November 2007.

The killing of Jakilan comes as three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross continue to be held by gunmen who kidnapped them last January 15 in neighboring Sulu province.

It was also in Albarkah where 14 Marines were killed in an ambush by Moro rebels in July 2007. Ten of the soldiers were later beheaded.

Paita pood ning mga radicals uy. I really do hope that Basilan stabilizes soon.

We cannot afford anymore of this type of violence if we are to continue our claims to Sabah.

clan war man kuno ni pare enzo. luyo pud ning walay apil basta member sa clan kay tepok sa apil bisan mga bata.