Basilan provincial board member shot dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A provincial board member of Basilan was gunned down in Barangay Basak, Sumisip, Basilan, on Wednesday afternoon, November 8.

The Sumisip Municipal Police Station identified the victim as Nasser “Jackson” Asarul, who represented the second district of Basilan.

Investigation disclosed that Asarul, together with some companions, was having snacks in an eatery before 2 p.m. when a man, Basid Kari Karim, 45, married, and a resident of Sumisip, arrived and engaged the group in a heated discussion.

Karim suddenly pulled out a firearm and shot Asarul. One of Asarul’s companions fired back at Karim and killed him.

Asarul was taken to the Lamitan District Hospital in Lamitan City, Basilan where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered three empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol and 15 empty shells of an M16 rifle at the crime scene.

Police are still investigating the incident.

Asarul served the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Basilan since 2016. He was the father of Isabela City, Basilan Councilor Khaleedsher Asarul.