Motorcycle-riding gunmen continue to sow terror in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY: Motorcycle- riding gunmen continue to sow terror here as fresh attacks are reported in this capital city of Zamboanga del Sur province.

Two gunmen attacked a store building owned by Raul Pamaran in the village of Kawit, but police said there was no report of casualties. Police recovered at least five bullet casings fired from a .45-caliber pistol.

Unidentified assailants also opened fire on the store owned by village council member Rey Prospero along Pulmones Street in Purok Adelfa in the village of Santa Lucia. Prospero’s family was asleep when the strafing occurred over the weekend.

Police said three gunmen who arrived on separate motorcycles opened fire on the store for a still unknown reason. It said no one was wounded or killed in the attack.

It still unknown whether the two attacks were related and whether the previous shootings were carried out by the same group.

Hired killers are known to be actively operating in Pagadian City.

Police authorities said that they are investigating the motive for the strafing. They have yet to confirm whether the attack was connected to the barangay polls.

Elections in several parts of Mindanao are notorious for violence due to the intense rivalry of warring groups and political clans.