Philippines mayor attacked by gunmen, at least 10 others killed

GlobalPost

Gunmen attacked a mayor and his supporters as they campaigned in the Philippines, killing at least 10 people and injuring many others.

The ambush late Thursday was on a truck carrying Mayor of Nunungan town Abdul Malik Manamparan and about 50 of his supporters. It left the mayor and his supporters wounded.

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Manamparan's daughter was confirmed as one of those killed, as well as other members of his family.

"They killed my granddaughter," Manamparan said, from his hospital bed, where the 62-year-old was being treated for a shrapnel wound that grazed his head.

"The motive is believed to be politics or rido," said Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, an army commander in the region. Rido is a term used in the Philippines for clan war.

About 15 unidentified gunmen carried out the attack on a remote mountain road near Nunungan town, the latest episode of political violence in the Philippines, which will hold local elections on May 13.

Violence during election campaigns is common in the Philippines. In 2009, 58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed by alleged followers of a powerful southern provincial clan.

Earlier this week, the mother of former-Vice President Teofisto Guingona was also ambushed. Two of her civilian guards were killed.

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