This month alone, two mayors in Luzon were killed in two days: General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote and controversial Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili, known for his “Walk of Shame” campaign where he made criminal offenders walk around the city.
This brings to a total of 10 the number of local executives slain since 2016.
Out of the 10 slain mayors, three were from Luzon, four were from the Visayas, and three were from Mindanao.
All of the mayors, except one — Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. — were incumbent local executives when they were killed.
Only Espinosa was not holding office when he was killed as he happened to be in jail on suspicion of being involved in the drug trade.
Of the 10 slain mayors, only one was a woman, Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel, who was allegedly shot dead by her husband and thrown off the sea.
Of the 10 slain mayors, only Boniel’s body has yet to be found.
Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town was on the so-called “narco-list.”
He died in October 2016 in an alleged shootout with government operatives at a checkpoint in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed inside his jail cell at the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City in November 2016 as he reportedly resisted the search warrant being issued against him.
Pantar, Lanao del Norte Mayor Mohammad Exchan Limbona was ambushed in Iligan City in December 2016. The mayor was in a vehicle with his wife and daughter when shooters opened fire at them.
Marcos Mayor Arsenio Agustin was killed by a lone gunman in his hometown in Ilocos Norte in June 2017. The mayor was walking toward his parked vehicle after inspecting a water impounding project.
Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel was allegedly shot in the head by her husband, Bohol Board Member Niño Boniel.
Balete Mayor Leovino Hidalgo was shot during a local sports event in Barangay Poblacion at around 10:30 a.m. on June 10 last year. The suspects were reportedly on board a white van.
The mayor was rushed to Metro Lipa Medical Center but died along the way.
Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 other people, including his wife Susan, were killed in a police raid in July last year.
In May this year, Buenavista Mayor Ronald Tirol was killed at a cockpit arena in his town.