A former mayor of San Jose De Buan town in Samar was shot earlier today along with his bodyguard who was killed by unidentified gunmen during a town fiesta.
Ananias Rebato, 57, was reportedly attending a town fiesta when the incident happened, ABS-CBN News reported.
His bodyguard Severino Tesorio, 24, was able to return fire, which resulted in the death of one of the four suspects, Manila Bulletin stated. Tesorio was also killed on the spot.
Police Inspector Prizeno Cmacho told Manila Bulletin: “When they were about to board in their service vehicle heading home, more or less four unidentified armed persons fired at Rebato and his bodyguard hitting them in different parts of their body.”
Rebato was rushed to a nearby hospital in Tacloban City, Leyte, ABS-CBN News reported.
Sunstar also added that authorities are on a manhunt for the remaining assailants.
The regional police have yet to release an official statement on the incident, the same report stated.
Several mayors and vice mayors have been killed during President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
On Tuesday, Mayor Alexander Buquing of Supiden town in La Union was shot dead, making him the 17th elected official killed under Duterte’s term.
11 mayors and 6 vice mayors have died since Duterte took office, some of whom were linked to the illegal drug trade.
