Tungawan Mayor Randy Climaco, who was winding up his third and last term, was killed just hours after filing his certificate of candidacy to run for vice mayor in next year’s elections.
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Moro rebels and other outlaws have a presence in Zamboanga Sibugay, but it was not immediately clear if they had a role in the attack on Climaco.
The victim was identified as Randy Adlawan Climaco, mayor of Tungawan town, said Police Inspector Leo Castillo, spokesman of the provincial police in the area.
The former mayor’s wife and an unidentified grandson were also wounded, when a person on the back of a motorbike opened fire. The heavily-armed attackers escaped, police said.
Operatives from the Special Forces and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been dispatched to conduct hot pursuit operations.
Gov. Wilter Palma said Tungawan Vice Mayor Abduraup Abison was in serious condition in a hospital after being shot in the head. Two others – municipal council member Loverlie Caracol and mayoralty aspirant Carlnan Climaco survived the ambush. Climaco was running for vice mayor in the town, he added.
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Authorities have said they suspect both attacks were politically motivated.
