Aquino condemns ambush in int'l airport

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III condemned today the killing of a town mayor in southern Philippines and three others at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in the capital region of Metro Manila.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said Aquino has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to pursue the suspects.

"We condemn this blatant act of violence that has killed an innocent bystander and imperiled the safety of citizens in the airport," Coloma said.

He assured that the Philippine government will undertake all the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Filipinos and visitors this holiday season.

Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa, his wife, Lea Salipuddin Talumpa, a relative and an 18-month old baby were killed when two men aboard a motorcycle ambushed them at the NAIA Terminal 3 before noon today.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the ambush.

De Lima said the ambush was the third attempt on the life of Talumpa. Last year, a police officer escorting Talumpa, who was then vice-mayor of Labangan, was injured after an unidentified suspect hurled a grenade at his vehicle.

Talumpa had also escaped an assassination attempt in Ermita, Manila in 2010.