Post date: Dec 20, 2013 1:17:31 PM
Gunmen shoot dead a town mayor and three other people at Manila's international airport, leaving passengers fearing for their safety.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (DECEMBER 20, 2013) (REUTERS) - Gunmen on Friday (December 20) shot dead a town mayor and three other people at the airport in the Philippine capital, Manila, sending travellers fleeing for cover, authorities said.
Ukol Talumpa was mayor of a town called Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Three passengers were also killed and four people were wounded, airport manager Jose Honrado said.Talumpa was waiting for a ride with his family outside the airport terminal when the gunmen approached and shot him at close range, Honrado said.
Honrado added that an investigation was underway into the motive. The mayor's relatives declined to comment.
The gunmen, who were wearing police uniforms, escaped on a motorcycle.
Other passengers said the shooting raised concerns about airport safety.
"It's worrisome because this could mean that security is weak in the airport, so I think they should do something about this. It's scary," said retiree Donor Alfredo.
Flordeliza Sosobrado, who lives in a province next to the town mayor's, said she heard about the shooting before taking her flight to Manila.
"We're scared, we were scared to go on our vacation. If my flight were not scheduled today I wouldn't have travelled here. I would have cancelled my flight because I'm scared. Until now I seem to be shaking," Sosobrado said.
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is named after prominent opposition politician Benigno Aquino who was shot dead there in 1983 as he arrived home from self exile. His son, also Benigno Aquino, is now president.