Infanta, Quezon mayor hurt in shooting incident

Infanta, Quezon Mayor Filipina Grace America (from Facebook page of Mayor America)

MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of the municipality of Infanta in Quezon Province was hurt in a shooting incident on Sunday morning.

A police spot report said Mayor Filipina Grace America was repeatedly shot by a gunman while she was aboard her Chevrolet Trailblazer sport utility vehicle along Rizal St. in Barangay (village) Poblacion 1 around 11:15 a.m.

A police informant, who requested anonymity, said the mayor was leaving after attending a religious service at the nearby chapel of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) with her driver Alvin America when the gun attack happened.

Recovered from the crime scene were two slugs and six empty shells from a still unknown gun caliber. The report described the shooting as “with intent to kill.”

America was taken to the Claro M. Recto Hospital at the town center for treatment. The police report did not provide additional information about the shooting.

Quezon Govenor Danilo Suarez said America, who was at the front seat, sustained a bullet wound on her right arm.

“She is in stable condition and will be airlifted to Manila for further treatment,” Suarez said in a phone interview. Suarez said he was able to talk to America over the phone and had advised her to seek further treatment for her safety.

Suarez ordered the local police to conduct a swift but thorough investigation to establish the motive and unmask the gunman and those who hatched the attack.

“We should not let fear and violence prevail in the province during this election season,” he said.

In a Facebook post, the Municipal Government of Infanta said aside from Mayor Filipina Grace America, no other persons were hurt in the gun attack.

https://www.facebook.com/mabuhaykainfanta/posts/329814679174638

“Batay sa mga inisyal na pag-uulat ay wala namang ibang nasaktan o nadamay sa pangyayari,” the municipal government posted.

(Based on initial reports, no other persons were hurt.)

“Maglalabas po ng opisyal na pahayag at iba pang detalye sa naganap na pamamaril sa ating punong bayan sa mga susunod na araw, it added.

(We will be releasing an official statement and other details about the shooting.)

The local government of Infanta denounced the shooting and urged witnesses to coordinate with the police.

“Gayundin ay mariing kinukundena ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Infanta, Quezon ang karahasang ito. Hinihikayat namin ang mga konsernadong mamamayan na nakakita ng pangyayari na makipagtulungan sa ating kapulisan upang mahuli ang may kagagawan ng krimeng ito,” it said.

(The local government of Infanta, Quezon strongly condemns this violence. We encourage concerned citizens who witnessed the incident to help our police arrest the perpetrator of this crime.)

The local government of Infanta also asked for prayers for the safety of the mayor.

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/MUF