Mayor’s executive secretary shot while asleep

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Merida (Leyte) town mayor’s executive secretary, who was the Liberal Party’s defeated bet for vice-mayor in the 2013 elections, was shot on the head at the town plaza at around 2 a.m. by a still unidentified assailant.

The victim, 35-year-old Remigio Palconit Mopon, was reportedly sleeping at the seawall after a drinking spree with friends when killed.

A witness said Mopon, together with his drinking buddy, a certain Lyndon Bande, decided to sleep at the seawall because they got drunk after drinking nearby.

Shortly after, a man came by, shot Mopon on the forehead and then walked away into the darkness.

Mopon however survived somehow, but is now in serious condition at the Ormoc Doctors’ Hospital. The bullet remains lodged in his head and the family was still waiting for the neurosurgeon to arrive when The Freeman visited the hospital.

Mopon was appointed secretary to Mayor Antonio Martinez about two months ago only.

Lito delos Angeles, secretary of the Merida Municipal Council, said Mopon did not have any known enemies, describing the latter as a well-liked person by LGU employees, since he started to assume office.