Personal grudge seen in killing of Army soldier, three others in Basilan

The military on Sunday said personal grudge may have been the motive in the killing last Friday of an Army soldier and three others in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

"Per initial investigation conducted by our troops in the area, the motive of the shooting incident is personal grudge between PFC Monte and Karim Manisan, nephew of the barangay chairman of said barangay," Joint Task Force Basilan commander Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg said.

According to the Philippine Army's Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), the fatalities were Private First Class Mark Anthony Monte, Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) members Samy Akay and Alibasa Antaas, and a civilian identified as Kong Uging.

Injured in the incident were CAAs Randy Ibung and Gary Cuevas, and civilians Halam Jainul and Hakim Marani.

Monte and the CAA members were assigned at the Lebbung Detachment in Barangay Bohe Lebbung when an undetermined number of alleged Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members fired at them on Friday night.

The gunmen then allegedly boarded motorized pump boats and fled toward Sitio Larangay, Buli-Buli in the municipality of Sumisip. 

Troops of the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion immediately went to the crime scene upon receiving information about the incident.

Reyeg said the dispute between Monte and Manisan was allegedly settled before the incident occurred.

"Moreover, said dispute between the two was already settled two days ago. However, a few moments before the incident, PFC Monte was invited by Mr. Manisan at his house, more or less 120 meters away from the detachment, where the former and his companions were fired upon by the latter's group," he said.

The military has coordinated with the Tipo-Tipo Police for investigation and filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators.

WestMinCom Commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana condemned the incident.

"We condemn the killing of our comrade and the innocent victims and extend our sympathy to the bereaved families," he said.

“We will make sure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their bastardly acts and the victims are given justice,” Sobejana added. —KG, GMA News