BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – A close aide of Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Tuguegarao City on Thursday.
Initial investigation showed that Gyorgy Tong was riding his motorcycle on his way home when he was ambushed in Barangay Ugac at around 6:45 a.m. He died from a gunshot to the head.
Ting’s sister, Councilor Maila Ting-Que, said the victim was the coordinator of her brother’s office in Tuguegarao. She claimed the killing was politically motivated.
“Tong was a supporter of our family. He has been very vocal even in social media about our political rivals’ abuses,” said Que.
Que’s brother, Raul Ting, said Tong had also received death threats.
Tuguegarao City police director Superintendent Julius Ordonio said they were investigating the possible motives for the killing, which came on the heels of the ouster of Mayor Jefferson Soriano by the Office of the Ombudsman over a complaint of abuse of authority and grave misconduct filed by Que.
In her complaint, Que questioned the operation of a flea market and carnival during the city’s fiesta last year without authority from the city council.
A former police deputy director general, Soriano defeated Que’s father, Delfin Ting, in the 2013 elections.