Former Mayor of Cateel, Davao Oriental Assassinated

Davao City – Giselo Velasco Castillones, a former mayor of Cateel town in Davao Oriental, was fatally shot outside a fast-food chain in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City, on Wednesday morning. This incident marks a violent loss in the local political landscape.

According to Philippines News Agency, Based on the report from the Bajada Police Station, Castillones, who served as mayor from 1983 to 1986, was attacked while sitting in the passenger seat of his car at approximately 10 a.m. An unidentified assailant approached and shot him, resulting in his immediate death. The former mayor’s driver, Junie Castro, was also wounded in the attack and is currently in stable condition after being taken to a nearby hospital. A third person, Alma Lozentes, who was with them, remained unscathed. The crime scene yielded five empty shells from a .45-caliber pistol. Witnesses reported that the gunman, whose face was concealed with a tube mask and maroon cap, fled the scene on a motorcycle heading towards the Buhangin area. The local police are conducting an investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.