Shot on Christmas eve, Filipino mayor succumbs to injury

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - An injured mayor in the Philippines has succumbed to his injuries in Manila after being struck by a bullet last Wednesday which pierced his head.

Michael Gutierrez, town mayor of Lopez Jaena, died on Monday after he was shot by a sniper last week during a Christmas party, Filipino news website Rappler reported.

The shooting incident, which appears political, took place in the Tangub City of Misamis Occidental province where the mayor and members of his Team Asenso political group were partying on Dec. 22.

Police had imposed a lockdown in the township to nab the suspects.

Gutierrez was running for vice governorship.

Congressional aspirant Jason Almonte was also wounded in the shooting.

“You will always be our vice governor, Pa. Rest in Peace, I love you very much,” Andrea Pinky Gutierrez, daughter of the slain mayor, wrote on her Facebook page.

Gutierrez was rushed to Manila after he underwent surgery at the Misamis University Medical Center in Ozamiz City.

Gutierrez did not regain consciousness after the shooting.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Deony Dale Alviar said: “A single gunshot was heard while Gutierrez was celebrating Christmas together with local politicians.”