Philippines: Two mayor killed in two days-Antonio Halili and Ferdinand Bote
On July 2, Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was shot during the flag ceremony Monday morning, July 2, in front of the city hall.
photo/Alan Cleaver
He was declared dead about an hour later from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Twenty fours later, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of the town of General Tinio in Nueva Ecija province was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding suspect in nearby Cabanatuan City.
Halili was a controversial ally of President Rodrigo Duterte who gained notoriety for his policy of parading people arrested for drug offenses.
Ferdinand “Ferdie” Bote was a 57-year-old engineer was barely half into his first term as mayor of General Tinio.
It is unclear if the two deaths are linked or what were the motives.
Philippine media source, Rappler reports at least four vice mayors and 10 mayors were killed in the past two years.
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