Town mayor shot dead by sniper in the Philippines

PHILIPPINES — Misamis Occidental town mayor Michael Gutierrez, running for vice governor of the province in 2022, succumbed to his injuries Monday after he was shot by a sniper during a party before Christmas in Tangub City.

Gutierrez was shot at around 8:45pm on December 22 while attending a Christmas party hosted by outgoing Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal, who is running for governor in 2022.

Gutierrez was hit in the left temple, and the bullet damaged the left and right parts of his brain.

Gutierrez was rushed to the Misamis University Medical Center in Ozamiz City and was airlifted to Manila on Christmas eve after undergoing surgery.

The mayor never regained consciousness.

A motive for the attack remains unknown and the shooter remains at large at this time.