Pulupandan, Negros Occidental former mayor was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding assassins beside the compound of the Jaro Cathedral at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Former Mayor Luis Mondia was in critical condition when rushed to the Iloilo Mission Hospital where he expired several hours later.
Mondia was comatose when brought to the hospital.
The victim was with his wife and were about to board their service vehicle after they attended the 7 p.m. mass in time for “Ash Wednesdayâ€, when shot by one of the two motorcycle-riding suspects at close range. The victim was fatally hit on the neck, right armpit and head.
The staccato of gunfires sent church-goers to scamper for their safety as the suspects hastily boarded the get-away motorcycle and sped towards Brgy. El 98, Jaro where they disappeared.
A civilian volunteer officer who was directing the vehicular traffic beside the Jaro Cathedral has witnessed the shooting incident.
Meanwhile, the Scene on the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered three deformed slugs and one empty shell of .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene.
C/Inspector Orly Gabinete, chief of Jaro PNP (Philippine National Police) station, has led the investigation and hot pursuit operation against the fleeing assassins believed to be professional hired killers.
Checkpoints have been conducted in possible exit points outside of metro Iloilo, particularly in Mandurriao, Oton, San Miguel and Pavia. -PNA
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