Ex-Quezon mayor wounded in gun attack

PAGBILAO, Quezon, Philippines — A former mayor of this town was critically wounded in a gun attack in Barangay Bukal on Tuesday.

Romeo Portes, 73, a resident of Barangay Ikirin, was sitting in front of a building along J.P. Rizal street when he was shot in the face by an unidentified motorcycle rider.

Witnesses said the gunman and his companion fled toward the highway.

Portes was initially taken to the MMG Hospital in Lucena City, then transferred to the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

The victim is the father of the incumbent mayor of this town, Shierre Ann Palicpic.