Philippines mayor among four killed in Manila airport gunman attack

Washington – The mayor of a southern Philippines town, two members of his family and a young child have died after a gunman opened fire outside a terminal at Manila’s international airport.

The attack, which was aimed at Ukol Talumpa, the mayor of Labangan, wounded five people and caused panic among travellers.

According to CNN, initial reports suggested more than one attacker carried out the shooting.

The police however said a lone gunman was carried out the brazen attack

The dead include Talumpa, his wife and a 28-year-old niece, said Jose Erwin Villacorte, director of the Manila region’s Southern Police District.

An 18-month-old child was also killed, Villacorte said.

Authorities said the shooting took place around 11:20 a.m. at the terminal’s loading bay, an area outside the airport’s security screening of passengers.

Police believe the mayor, who has reportedly survived previous assassination attempts, was the target of the attack, Villacorte said.

Talumpa and his family had flown from the southern Philippines to Manila, where they planned to spend the Christmas holidays, Villacorte added.