Ambushed ex-Batangas town vice mayor dies in hospital

BATANGAS, Philippines – The former vice mayor of Bauan town died in a hospital eight hours after he was placed in critical condition following an ambush by motorcycle-riding  gunmen Friday morning.

Julio Cruzat, 72, died while being treated at the Bauan Doctors Hospital where he was rushed after the attack, according to Superintendent Renato Mercado, head of the Bauan police.

Cruzat suffered a bullet wound in the head when the gunmen waylaid him in Barangay Manghinao.

The former vice mayor was in a Toyota Revo heading for the municipal hall when the attack occurred at about 8:30 a.m.

Cruzat served as Bauan vice mayor for three terms, from 1991 to 2000.

Police have yet to identify the killers and determine the motive for the killing.