(Vatican Radio) In the Philippines, an apparent assassination at an airport packed
with people travelling for the Christmas holiday.
As arriving passengers stepped
out of Manila's main airport, a gunman opened fire, killing four people including
a mayor and his wife and wounding several others.
The motive was unclear. The
mayor was from Zamboanga del Sur on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines, a
largely Catholic district suffering an insurgency by several Muslim rebel groups seeking
independence.
Mayor Ukol Talumpa had reportedly survived several other assassination
attempts in recent months, including a grenade attack.
In Friday's attack,
the other victims included an infant child. The gunman escaped on a motorbike. Cars
set off in pursuit, but eyewitnesses said the bike outran them by weaving between
stationary vehicles.
The attack rattled many people in Manila, as it took place
among crowds just before Christmas, one of the busiest times of the year at airports
and bus stations.
The Philippines state news agency quoted the presidential
office saying authorities would do what they can to protect citizens travelling over
the holiday.