ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 27 -- Authorities have launched a manhunt against 10 gunmen responsible in the ambush-slay on Thursday afternoon of a village chairperson and four others in Sirawai town, Zamboanga del Norte province.

Col. Glenn Dulawan, Zamboanga del Norte police director, said Friday that a team of police officers and soldiers are pursuing the suspects in the mountainous area of Barangay Pina, Sirawai.

"The suspects are highly mobile. The troops are hot on their trail," Dulawan said in an interview.

Dulawan withheld the identities of the suspects, except to say six of the 10 were identified by one of the two ambush survivors.

Allie Manangca, the village chief of Barangay Balubuan, Sirawai, along with four others were killed whil...