Ambushed ex-mayor dies in hospital

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A former mayor of Pagbilao town in Quezon province who was wounded in an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants has died in a hospital, police reported yesterday.

Romeo Portes died 10 days after the attack that occurred on Nov. 24 in Barangay Bukal, Pagbilao.

Portes died at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig on Saturday afternoon, according to his daughter, Pagbilao Mayor Shierre Ann Portes Palicpic.

The victim was sitting in front of his daughter’s rice store on J.P. Rizal street when a motorcycle with two men on board pulled over.

One of the riders approached Portes and shot him twice, according to Maj. Reden Romasanta, Pagbilao police chief.

The victim was brought to the MMG Hospital in Lucena City for treatment and was transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig.