2 die, 1 hurt in Zamboanga del Sur gun attack

Taken Sunday morning at the scene of the crime, showing the tricycle boarded by the victims in Barangay Kagawadan, Dimataling town, Zamboanga del Sur. —Photo by Ace Magsayo

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — A mother and her daughter were shot to death while on their way to church on Sunday in Barangay Kagawasan, Dimataling town, Zamboanga del Sur province.

Col. Bonifacio Arañas Jr., Zamboanga del Sur police director, told the Inquirer that the mother, identified as Evangilyn Tabunda Gallo, 57, a local government employee, was with her 19-year old daughter Ania Nazarelle Althea, and another passenger, public school teacher Carmilla Tabunda Sureno, aboard a tricycle when fired upon.

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The three were reportedly bound for a church service in nearby Pitogo town with the still unidentified suspects trailing them until they saw an opportunity to open fire. Evangeline and Ania were declared dead on the spot while Carmilla, who sustained gunshot wounds, was rushed to the nearby hospital for immediate medication.

The still unidentified gunmen fled toward the Tabina road, Arañas said.

“Initial CCTV footage confirms that the victims were targeted while on board,” he added.

The local authorities immediately launched a manhunt operation against the gunmen while investigators were still establishing the motive of the killing. /cb