Slain mayor hailed by townmate | Inquirer

Slain mayor hailed by townmate

By: - Reporter /
/ 04:28 PM December 21, 2013

Police investigators examine the bloodstained pavement at the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following an ambush of a southern Philippine town mayor Friday Dec. 20, 2013 at suburban Pasay city south of Manila, Philippines. Labangan Mayor Ukol Talumpa was fatally shot Friday in an attack at Manila’s main airport that also killed his wife and two other people, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Mayor Ocol Talumpa of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, who was killed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on Friday, was a no-nonsense guy who did not care if his enemies were out to kill him, a member of the Labangan municipal council said Saturday.

“He was the only mayor whom we knew as straight and very humble,” Eddie Relacion told the Inquirer by phone.

Article continues after this advertisement

Relacion said even if they knew that the threats against Talumpa were real, the mayor’s death still came as a shock to most residents of Labangan.

FEATURED STORIES

“Our hearts are bleeding over his death,” he said.

The slain mayor’s first name was Ocol, not Ukol as reported earlier

Relacion said Talumpa always wore a smile and would easily laugh at the simplest joke.

“But he would not mind telling people they were thieves or drug addicts,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Relacion said the threats against Talumpa increased when he led the dismantling of suspected drug havens in Labangan.

Even suspected drug lords packed up moved to other places,  he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Even a known warlord left Labangan because of his campaign,” Relacion added.

RELATED STORIES

Family of wounded girl in Manila airport shooting seeks financial aid

Zamboanga mayor, 3 others shot dead at NAIA 3

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

3 wounded in NAIA shooting brought to Quezon City hospital

TAGS: Killing, NAIA, Ocol Talumpa, Zamboanga del Sur

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the and acknowledge that I have read the .

© Copyright 1997-2025 | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies.