Camarines Sur mayor in coma after shooting

NAGA CITY, Philippines—The mayor of a Camarines Sur town was shot in the head by a lone gunman at 3:45 p.m. while at a service center in this city.

Lupi Mayor Raul Matamorosa was rushed to the Mother Seton Hospital, located just a few meters from where he was shot, and was fighting for his life at the intensive care unit, said Senior Police Officer Jose Luis Caparroso.

A radio report said Matamorosa was now on coma after being shot in the back of his head while inside the Sony service center along the Diversion Road of this city.

Caparroso, quoting witnesses, said the gunman fled on foot.

He said it was not clear if the gunman has a companion.

Caparroso said they found a spent bullet of a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Caparroso said they have yet to determine the motive for the slay attempt and could not say if it was election-related.

Matamorosa, 45, is a member of a Liberal Party. He is not running for reelection but has endorsed the candidacy of his brother Roberto for mayor of the town in the 2013 elections.