Yt Framework

A Muslim preacher was wounded after engaging in a shootout against unidentified armed men at Sitio Malandi, Barangay Patalon, this city, Monday afternoon.

City police director Sr. Supt. Edwin de Ocampo told Zamboanga Today that based on the report, a certain Baser Morsalon, an Imam, a resident of Barangay Labuan, this city, was wounded but is still missing as of press time.

De Ocampo said the report submitted by Labuan Police Station commander Chief Inspector Roberto Marcos showed that at about 4:45 p.m. of Monday, Morsalon was on board his color red XRM motorcycle with plate number IE 6941 when he was sidled and shot by an unidentified group. The victim managed to pull out his firearm and retaliated resulting to a shootout.

Probers said that upon receiving the shootout report, policemen of Labuan Police Station immediately responded at the crime scene. However, When the policemen arrived, Marsalon was already taken by the unidentified persons on board a color white vehicle leaving behind his driven motorcycle.

All police stations were alarmed and instructed to block the getaway vehicle, but yielded negative result.

Later, the color white vehicle was found abandoned along the highway of Barangay Sinubong, this city, with visible bloodstain on the vehicle’s floor.

De Ocampo added that an ongoing investigation is still being conducted to establish the motive of the incident.

The police are still checking raw information on the possible participation of Morsalon in the kidnapping of Swiss National Charlie Reith, Olivia Barredo, Flordeliza Ongchua and Edgar Fabella.

“We are still validating the report on Baser Morsalon’s involvement in the series of kidnapping in the west coast but as of this time, we can’t confirm yet,” De Ocampo told reporters during an interview.

De Ocampo averred that a background investigation is still being conducted to establish the personality of Marsalon.

Scene of the Crime Operatives processed the incident area for documentation and gathering of possible evidences. 

The two recovered vehicles were brought to Labuan Police Station for safekeeping and disposition.

By Eugene A. Lasprilla