NEWS
27April
Muslim lawyers call for probe into Zamboanga police operation that killed 3, including child
- Apr 27, 2026
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 1031
The fatalities included Jerry Indan Alfad, 52, a longtime Barangay Lupon member; his nephew Rayyan Hassan Alfad, 22; and his son Salam Aradais Alfad, 12. Two other family members, an 18-year-old daughter Mislie Aradais Alfad and another sister, were wounded.
The operation, conducted around 1:00 to 1:30 a.m. in Sitio Alas-as, involved approximately 52 personnel from the Joint Task Force, Regional Intelligence Division 9, Seaborne Unit, Sinunuc Police Station, and Mindanao Area Police Intelligence Office. It aimed to serve an arrest warrant on Saddam Siddik, an alleged member of the Dawlah Islamiya-Abu Sayyaf Group from Basilan facing charges of murder and frustrated murder. Intelligence reports had placed Siddik in the area on April 16 and 19.
According to Police Regional Office-9 spokesperson PMaj. Shellamie Chang, operatives knocked on the door and identified themselves as AFP and PNP members. Two unidentified men allegedly opened fire, prompting security forces to return fire in self-defense. Upon entering the house, authorities found the three dead and recovered an M16 rifle and a hand grenade, which they said belonged to the occupants. Siddik was not found.
The Alfad family has strongly denied any involvement in illegal activities and alleged that the firearms and grenade were planted by operatives. Mohammad Asiri Alfad, Jerry’s son, said he was playing a mobile game when gunfire erupted. He described chaos in the darkened house as armed men ordered them outside.
“Sabi ko kay Rayyan labas na kami kahit alam ko may tama na siya noon (I told Rayyan that we should go out even though I already knew he was already wounded at the time,” Mohammad recounted.
He said his hands were bound with cable ties and medical help arrived only after an hour, by which time his father, cousin, and younger brother had died. He expressed shock at the police claim of finding weapons, noting his cousin did not know how to use a firearm.
Mohammad also disputed claims linking his father to the warrant.
“Twenty years siya nag serve as Barangay Lupon, di siya magtatagal sa barangay kung ganun siya (He served as Barangay Lupon for 20 years; he would not have lasted [this long] in the barangay if he were like that),” he said.
Sinunuc Barangay Chairperson Pilarica Ledesma expressed shock over the incident, describing Jerry Alfad as a man of good standing personally known to her. “I personally know the person, sabe yo no debe mata con ele (I know he should not have been killed,” she said. She suggested possible mistaken identity and questioned whether intelligence was properly verified before the operation. Ledesma noted that when she arrived at the scene, Jerry and his 12-year-old son were still on their bed, with Jerry in his underwear.
The Muslim Lawyers of ZamBaSulTa issued a statement condemning the killings and raising procedural concerns. The group argued that a warrant of arrest applies only to the named individual and does not authorize the killing of unnamed persons, emphasizing that a 12-year-old child cannot legally be considered an armed associate of a fugitive.
While acknowledging the police claim of self-defense, the lawyers noted that the burden of proving unlawful aggression, reasonable necessity, and lack of provocation lies with the operating forces and must be established in the proper forum with full evidence. They also demanded preservation of body-worn camera footage as required under Supreme Court rules, to be deposited sealed with the issuing court in Basilan.
The group called for parallel independent investigations by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Regional Office 9, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Office 9, and the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service.
Police Regional Office-9 Director PBGen. Edwin Quilates has ordered an internal investigation into the operation to determine any lapses. PMaj. Chang said the probe will consider footage from body-worn cameras.
The victims were buried Thursday afternoon according to Islamic rites. The Alfad family continues to demand full transparency and accountability.
Mohammad Alfad said he only learned of the warrant at the police station afterward. “Tapos hindi pala correct. Ano yun, guessing guessing lang sila (I only found out about the warrant at the police station. So were they just guessing),” he said.
Time in Cotabato
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