Sara in a statement Tuesday morning said Lajid’s untimely demise is truly tragic and heartbreaking.
“This cowardly act deserves our collective outrage and condemnation,” Sara said.
Initial investigation showed at least four gunmen were involved in the shooting, which occurred in the seaside village of Baliwasan.
Police said Lajid was with Akbar Mayor Alih Awal Sali and the latter’s driver, Barad Nuruddin when the gunmen riddled them with bullets.
Sali and Lajid were rushed to a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds. However, Lajid and Sali's driver were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The suspects fled on board a motorized boat and a white car.
Duterte, who is also the chairperson of Lakas-CMD Party confirmed that Lajid is a member of the party and her personal friend.
“With the officers and members of Lakas-CMD, my thoughts and prayers for Mayor Darussalam and his aide as we offer their families our deepest condolences,” the statement read.
“We also wish for the speedy recovery of Mayor Sali, member of the local United Bangsamoro Party but also a member of the Lakas-CMD in Basilan,” the statement further read.
Sara has called on police authorities in Zamboanga to arrest the perpetrators behind the appalling attack and be immediately brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Basilan Congressman Mujiv Hataman also denounced the killing of Lajid and Nuruddin and the wounding of Sali.
“This violent crime has no place in a society that is deeply anchored on peace and a shared faith. I condemn the people behind the shooting, and I call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder of a public official and the wounding of another,” Hataman said.