Gunman kills PCG member in Basilan

The photo shows the crime scene of the shooting incident involving a 26-year-old Philippine Coast Guard member in Lamitan City, Basilan, on Thursday afternoon. The victim, Nurhan Birong, succumbed to his gunshot wounds at a hospital in Zamboanga City early Friday morning. PNP-BASILAN PHOTO

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

The Philippine Coast Guard member who was shot in Lamitan City, Basilan, last Thursday passed away due to his gunshot wounds at a hospital in Zamboanga City early Friday morning.

Police Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines, the Lamitan police chief, identified the victim as Nurhan Birong, 26, from Akbar town in Basilan.

Birong was stationed at the Ormoc City Coast Guard Station in Leyte province.

Initial investigation showed that Birong was walking with his girlfriend in Sitio Calle Onse, Barangay Maligaya, when two men on a motorcycle approached them. One of the them shot Birong three times.

Birong was first taken to the Lamitan City District Hospital. However, given the severity of his injuries — bullet wounds to his armpit and left forearm — he was later transferred to a more advanced hospital in Zamboanga City.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident.