ZAMBOANGA CITY鈥擜 hostage was killed on Friday after being taken by about 20 armed men wearing Army uniform, who stormed the detachment of the 42nd Infantry Battalion in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte town on May 30, authorities said聽Saturday.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, the Western Mindanao police director, said the slain hostage was among three men, whom the armed men took from Barangay Riconalla in Siocon town聽on Friday聽as they continued to withdraw amid a military pursuit operation.
Senior Supt. Edwin Wagan, the Zamboanga del Norte police chief, identified the slain hostage as 40-year-old Ronnie Tanggupan. He said Tanggupan was shot dead shortly after being snatched along with the two other villagers.
The two other hostages, Carlo Cari帽o, 24; and Marjun Alano, 27; had been successfully rescued, also聽on Friday, Beltran said.
Sirawai Mayor Gamar Bilong Janihim earlier said the armed men were led by a certain Jamilun Wahab but he could not say what the group鈥檚 affiliation was.
What was certain, he said, was that the attack 鈥渉as nothing to do with what鈥檚 happening in Marawi City.鈥�
鈥淭his is a different group,鈥� Janihim added. JPV