Basilan RTC judge killed in Zamboanga City ambush

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A regional trial court judge based in Isabela City, Basilan, was killed in an ambush by still unidentified gunmen early Thursday morning in Zamboanga City, the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) confirmed.

The victim was identified as Judge Joseph Wee Sit, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 2 in Isabela City.

Article continues after this advertisement

Initial police reports said Sit was inside his vehicle while traveling along Tumaga-Putik Road in Barangay Tumaga at around 5:25 a.m. when the assailants opened fire.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: IBP to roll out national safeguards for court officers amid threats

After receiving a tip from a concerned citizen, personnel of Zamboanga City Police Station 7 responded to the scene and found the magistrate wounded inside his vehicle. An ambulance rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

In a statement, the ZCPO strongly condemned the fatal attack against Sit and assured the public that the case is being treated with “utmost urgency.”

All ZCPO units have been mobilized for hot pursuit operations to track down the perpetrators./coa