Town mayor killed, vice mayor injured in ambush in Zamboanga Sibugay

A mayor was killed while four of his entourage wounded in an ambush on Monday in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, local police said.

Police said, Randy Clima- co, was onboard his vehicle and was traveling from Barangay Batungan to Poblacion Tu-ngawan, when gunmen attacked him near Batungan village at around 4 p.m.

Mayor Randy Climaco of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, was killed on the spot.

The former mayor’s wife and an unidentified grandson were also wounded, when a person on the back of a motorbike opened fire.

Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Palma said Vice Mayor Abison was in serious condition in a hospital after being shot in the head.

Tungawan Vice Mayor Abdurauf Abison was injured, along with town employee Fortunato Mangubat, driver Charlie de la Cruz, and a certain Bebot, a member of the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary.

The ambush occurred as candidacy certificates were being filed for the 2016 elections. Climaco was running for vice mayor in the town, he added.

The incident came just hours before they filed the certificate of candidate for the 2016 election.

Authorities have said they suspect both attacks were politically motivated.