Basilan Police Arrest Suspect in Zamboanga Shooting of Foreign National

Daphne Santuyo

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 21-year-old man suspected of involvement in the shooting of a foreign national in this city was apprehended in a pre-dawn operation in Lantawan, Basilan on Monday, April 13, 2026, authorities reported.

The suspect, identified as Jamil Cotamora Binasing, a resident of Barangay Subaan in Lantawan, was taken into custody at his residence during a coordinated law enforcement operation.

According to a spot report from the Lantawan Municipal Police Station (MPS), the arrest was carried out through the joint efforts of local police, led by Chief of Police PCAPT Abdin P. Arasa, in coordination with the S2 unit of the 19th Special Forces Company, 6th Special Forces Battalion. The operation was also supported by the local government unit under Mayor Omaer A. Abubakar.

Police said Binasing was identified as a suspect in a shooting incident in Zamboanga City involving a Lebanese national and his Filipina wife. His identification was based on Blotter Entry No. 150703-202604-0013, which linked him to the case under investigation.

During initial questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted his involvement and claimed that he was allegedly hired by another businessman to carry out the attack on the victims.

Following his arrest, Binasing was brought to the Lantawan MPS for proper booking and documentation. Authorities confirmed that he will be transferred to the custody of the Zamboanga City Police Office under Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9), where he will face the charges filed against him before the appropriate court.

Local officials welcomed the development, with Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso expressing gratitude to the Philippine National Police and the Lantawan local government for the successful arrest of the suspect.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals who may have been involved in the crime, particularly the alleged mastermind behind the attack.