Assassination in Manila airport

(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.

Listen: