The mayor of a southern Philippine city was shot dead Friday by two unidentified gunmen, one of whom was later killed, the military said.Three other people were injured in the attack on Luis Biel, the mayor of Isabela City in Basilan province, according to the armed forces' southern command. "The victims had just stepped out of city hall when two gunmen blocked their way and started firing at them," the southern command said.
Provincial health officer Nilo Barandino said Biel died while being treated in hospital. One of Biel's security escorts shot and killed one of the gunmen, but the other man managed to escape.
Police are still trying to determine the motive behind the attack, including the possibility that it could be linked to Biel's order to demolish a mosque built on government land.
| Brilliant, officer, simply brilliant. How do you do it? |