Lanao del Norte Mayor killed in ambush

Pantar Lanao del Norte Mayor Mohammad Exchan Gabriel Limbona was killed late Thursday evening in an ambush in Iligan City.

Iligan City Police Director Supt. Roy Ga told GMA News Online in a phone interview that Limbona, who was driving a brand new black Ford Everest, was shot at around 9:45 p.m. by a still undetermined number of men in Sitio Paitan, Barangay Dalipuga in Iligan City.

Limbona, 52, suffered from multiple gun shot wounds and was brought to the hospital. However, died less than an hour while under treatment.

He was accompanied by two escorts, who only had minor injuries, while his wife Geneva and daughter Aiza survived the ambush unscathed.

Based on initial findings, the suspects who only fired at the left side or driver's side of the vehicle could have fired the shots from another vehicle.

The possible motive for the shooting could be either be political in nature because the mayoral seat was hotly contested during the last election or it could have been triggered by a family feud or rido.

"Grabe kaayo kainit ang politika sa last election," the police city director said.

As of posting, Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are working on the crime scene while checkpoints were set up as part of efforts to nab the suspects. — Merlyn Manos/BAP, GMA News