Mayor survived ambush, but aide died in Mindanao

A town mayor in southern Philippines survived an attack by unidentified gunmen on Monday, but his security aide was killed, police said.

Two motorcycle-riding assassins opened fire on Bagumbayan town Mayor Felipe Aliaga’s vehicle as it leaving from residence to town hall in Sultan Kudarat, police said.

Aliaga and aide were going for a flag raising ceremony when the suspects armed with .45-caliber pistols appeared near the gate and shot them, it added.

The mayor’s aide identified as Paterno Guillermo was fatally hit in the different parts of the body and died instantly. Reports said the mayor was slightly injured in the attack.

Investigators are eyeing politics as a motive behind the attack. The mayor had earlier announced plans of running again in this year’s elections, sources said. (HG)