Poll-related violence? Authorities probe ambush of Sulu poll official in Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities are investigating the motive behind the ambush of Sulu’s top election officer in Zamboanga City, which resulted in the death of her brother.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Sulu Provincial Election Supervisor Vidzfar Julie believes the attack may be related to her work as poll officer.

“She is saying that this appears to be election-related because they had rejected certain things from some politicians there. That is our lead, and that is what we are closely monitoring, especially in the investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police,” Garcia said in Filipino in a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

A Comelec press release on Saturday, December 21, said two unidentified assailants aboard a motorcycle fired shots at the car Julie was driving. She was unharmed, but her brother Naser Amil Asiri, on the passenger seat, sustained critical gunshot wounds to the head, and was pronounced dead later in the hospital.

“No words are enough to condemn this treacherous act of violence against our people. What is more gruesome and unforgivable is when a loved one is caught in the crossfire so to speak. We are not yet prepared to cry hopelessness but a call for immediate action from authorities is strongly demanded,” Garcia said on Saturday.

The Zamboanga City police chief, Colonel Kim Molitas, said a newly formed special investigation task group is looking into whether Asiri’s past position as barangay chairman is also a motive behind the shootout.

“We assure the family of Comelec… that we will leave no stones unturned until we give justice to the family of Naser,” she added. – Rappler.com