MANILA, Philippines – The mayor of Tawi-Tawi’s capital town Bongao was wounded in a shooting incident in Zamboanga City on Sunday morning, February 7, authorities said.
Two unidentified assailants on board a motorcycle shot Mayor Jasper Que while he was in his car in Zamboanga City, Superintendent Luisito Magnaye, the city police director, told Rappler.
Authorities said Que sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen, right arm, and buttocks, but survived the attack. He is now being treated at the Ciudad Medical Hospital in Zamboanga City.
"When I visited him earlier, he was conscious. He was talking to his brother Gilbert," Magnaye said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Magnaye said they are still investigating possible motives for the attack.
He noted that although Que, an Aquino administration ally, is not seeking reelection, they are not ruling out the possibility that the attack was politically motivated.
Que earlier told media that he will actively campaign for Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and for reelectionist Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman.
The mayor was with a village captain from his town when the incident happened, but she was unhurt.
They were near the airport on their way to downtown Zamboanga City when the incident happened. – Rappler.com