Ex-mayor slain, wife and granddaughter hurt in ambush

ZAMBOANGA CITY - A former town mayor was killed while his wife and granddaughter were critically wounded in a gun attack before noon Thursday.

Chief Inspector Elmer Acuña, commander of Police Station 6, identified the fatality as Arsenio Climaco, former mayor of Tungawan town, Zamboanga Sibugay province. His wife Helen, and their three-year-old granddaughter Shirly Mar Climaco Akibol survived, but were in critical condition

Acuña said the victims, together with 2 other minors, were on board an SUV when they were ambushed by motorcycle-riding gunmen along the Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Highway in Barangay Tetuan.

He said that based on investigations, the assailants had been tailing the victims' vehicles and timed their attack when the victims were passing a crossing. The attack happened at 11 a.m.

Police found at the crime scene two empty bullet shells believed to be fired from a .45 caliber pistol.

The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Arsenio Climaco died while undergoing treatment.

Media practitioner Jimmy Villaflores, who was near the areas, first responded to the incident and rushed the Helen and the child to the hospital.

Villaflores said the victims were in cridical conditions.

Police have yet to determine the motive behind the attack.