The municipal mayor of Buenavista municipality in Bohol province was shot dead at around 3 P.M on Sunday, May 27, while he was inside the township’s cockpit arena.
Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol suffered a couple of gunshot wounds in the skull area after the gunman sat near him and shot him at close vicinity, according to an initial Philippine National Police (PNP) report. His bodyguards were reportedly not in the surrounding are at that time.
Tirol, 38-year-old, was taken to a nearby medical hospital but was declared dead on arrival (DOA), the reports said.
Bohol Provincial Governor Edgar Chatto ordered provincial police director Senior Superintendent Angeles Geñorga Jr to conduct a manhunt operation against the annihilator, who immediately fled form the crime scene after the shooting mayor Tirol.
In a press statement, Chatto said that the police are still resolving the possible intention behind the assassination. Additionally, he also advised the general public to stay calm.
Tirol was the offspring of the late Buenavista Mayor Leandro Tirol and former Buenavista Mayor Elsa Tirol. He is the second mayor in Bohol killed with in 12-months.
Back in June 2017, Gisela Bendong Boniel, first-time mayor of the neighboring municipal town of Bien Unido, was purportedly murdered by her husband, Bohol Board Member Niño Rey Boniel.
Gisela’s body remains missing after being allegedly dumped into the sea off Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.
Buenavista, a fourth income class municipality, is situated 83 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Tagbilaran.
The municipal town has recently became controversial after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) exposed an immense illegal deforestation of mangroves, allegedly for a seaport project. – CentrioNews.com
