A municipal councilor from Tuburan, Basilan and five others were injured after they were ambushed in Akbar town on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Authorities said the victims, all relatives, are residents of Tuburan.

They were taken to the hospital after they were rescued by members of the Akbar Municipal Police Station. They are now in stable condition.

Police said the victims were heading to Akbar when they were waylaid by an armed group in Barangay Upper Bato-Bato.

The victims were able to retaliate, forcing the perpetrators to pull back.

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) is looking at family feud or rido as possible motive in the ambush.

“Purely rido ito, wala itong involvement doon sa drive troops na kinu-confront ng ating security forces,” WestMinCom Spokesperson, Major Andrew Linao, said.

Following the incident, government forces are implementing tight security in the area and in neighboring towns.

“We will consider also it as lawless incident kasi may mga firearm and it can also affect doon sa mga neighboring localities sa area,” Linao added.