Gunmen killed a Philippine town mayor and wounded his vice mayor and at least three other companions in an ambush on Monday while they were traveling in a van in a far-flung southern region, officials said.
Such violence has long tarnished Philippine politics, especially in remote rural regions burdened with weak law enforcement, illegal firearms, political and clan conflicts and decades-long insurgencies. Mayor Randy Climaco and his companions had come from a village fiesta and were returning home in a van when they came under attack today afternoon in his town of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay province. The heavily-armed attackers escaped, police said.
Governor <g data-gr-id="12">Wilter</g> Palma said Tungawan Vice Mayor Abduraup <g data-gr-id="13">Abison</g> was in serious condition in a hospital after being shot in the head.