The vice mayor of the Municipality of Ibajay, Aklan, was shot dead on Friday morning by an incumbent municipal councilor.
In an interview, Ibajay Deputy Chief of Police Lt. Melvin Cunanan reported that Mihrel Senatin, 43, without any provocation, suddenly fired his weapon at Vice Mayor Julio Estolloso, 50. The incident occurred shortly after Estolloso arrived at his office to report for work, while the suspect was in the process of having his ordinances recopied.
“We are still investigating the real motive of the shooting incident. Operatives from the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) are still processing the crime scene,” Cunanan stated.
Initial reports indicated that the suspect approached the vice mayor and inquired if he had any grudge against him before suddenly withdrawing his firearm. Cunanan noted that there was no known animosity between Senatin and Estolloso.
Investigators are currently at a loss regarding the possible motive for the shooting, as Senatin remains uncommunicative while in custody at the Ibajay custodial facility.
Cunanan emphasized that the incident appears to be an isolated case, and murder charges are being prepared against the suspect.