Four people killed, one hurt in Zambo Sur ambush

DINAS, Zamboanga del Sur — Four people were killed in an ambush in Barangay Guiniculalay in this town at about 6 p.m. Friday, police said. Police Senior Inspector Homer T. Dumalag identified the fatalities as Eliodoro Galleros, 24, a barangay councilor;  Merla Jun Doong, 24, a militiaman assigned in Barangay Tarakan; Danilo Zamora; and Andi Migoc of Barangay  Niam. One Rodel Doong, 27, was wounded in the leg, Dumalag said. Also, Police Provincial director S/Supt William T. Manzan confirmed to GMA News Online the four were killed in the incident. Dumalag, together with Provincial Public Safety Company ( PPSC) and Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 9, immediately rushed to the area and found 20 cartridges of M16 rifle at the crime scene. Citing initial information, Dumalag said the victims were on motorcycles from Dinas Poblacion heading home when they were attacked by undetermined number of armed men hiding in a grassy area. Investigations showed the fatalities' bodies bore multiple gunshot wounds, while the survivor Rodel Doong was only hit in his right leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Dumalag said the suspects fled after the attack. Police are conducting pursuit operation and are investigating into the motive of the attack, he said. Meanwhile, Dinas town mayor Basilio Vidad, in a separate interview with GMA News Online, hinted that conflict over land could be a possible motive for the ambush. Also, he noted that three village officials were killed in Zamboanga del Sur this week. — Mariz Revales /LBG, GMA News