Basilan governor's brother and sister-in-law killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen

Manila: The young brother and sister in-law of a southern Philippine governor were killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen, a radio report said.

Engineer Basser Jainuddin, brother of Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, and Jainuddin's wife, Amina, a village chairperson, were shot dead while they were aboard a small vehicle that reached Sumagdang Village, Isabela City at seven Monday night, Isabela City police chief Superintendent Alan Nazarro told Inquirer radio on Tuesday.

Jainuddin sustained several gunshot wounds and died on the spot. His critically wounded wife was brought to Infante Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival, Nazarro said.

The incident happened in front of Basilan State College. They were then on their way home.

Investigators are eyeing political rivalry as one of the assassins' motives.

At the same time, investigators are not discrediting the possible involvement of Abu Sayyaf Group which has been blamed for kidnap-for-ran, beheading, bombings and other terror activities, that operates in Basilan.

The group has links with Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian conduit of Al Qaida terror network.