Sacol Island in Zamboanga City. (Google Earth Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 5, 2014) – A police patrol have fished out three decomposing bodies off Sacol Island in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said Sunday.
Officials said the policemen led by Chief Inspector Nonito Asdai the bodies in two separate areas all around Sacol Island. The bodies were all unidentified and had been buried in the village of Busay on the island.
Just recently, a police patrol also recovered near Sacol Island a wooden boat with eight bodies of Badjao fishermen who were killed on December 26 by suspected pirates off Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Two other fishermen – Loloy Ampasali, 22, and Muksi Ampasali, 16 – survived the carnage and were brought to hospital in Zamboanga City, according to Captain Jefferson Somera, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division.
Police identified the bodies as that of Mursid Ambasali, Jimmy Sannayani, Benjie Sannayani, Piyad Sannayani, Palaji Sannayani, Jeffrey Sannayani, Palari Buyong and Maastal Jaolani – all residents of Sitio Seaside in the coastal village of Sangali here.
The Badjao is among the peaceful tribes in southern Philippines and mostly engaged in fishing and mat weaving as their source of livelihood. They live mostly in boats off Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)
20