Tanauan Mayor Halili clutched chest and said 'Ah' after one gunshot —vice mayor

Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili clutched his chest the second after they heard the lone gunshot aimed at the mayor on Monday morning, vice mayor and lawyer Jhoanna Corona said.

Corona, who stood next to the right of the mayor during the flag raising ceremony at the city hall, related in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting.

"May narinig lang po ako na gunshot tapos narinig ko na si mayor na sabi niya lang 'Ah,' tapos hawak niya 'yung kanyang dibdib. At nakita ko agad na may gunshot wound na sa dibdib," she said.

"Wala na po (siyang nasabi). Nu'ng nakita ko po na tumatakbo na 'yung mga tao so that's the time na tumakbo na rin po ako kasi nag-panic na po kami lahat," she later added.

Halili was shot dead Monday morning while attending the city hall's flag raising ceremony. He was declared dead on arrival at the CP Reyes Medical Center at 8:45 a.m.

Single gunshot

Corona confirmed that there was only a single gunshot but noted that the bullet was reportedly a double-action bullet.

She said there were no buildings directly next to the city hall that had the elevation to support a sniper.

"Wala naman pong masasabi na mataas na structure na directly nasa tapat. Du'n po sa nakapalibot sa city hall, medyo damuhan po kasi 'yun," Corona said.

No threat disclosed

Halili allegedly did not disclose any threats to his life prior to the incident and did not act differently during the ceremony.

"Pagdating po ni mayor, right after po ay nag-start na po 'yung Lupang Hinirang. Few minutes lang po, mga two minutes lang po, hindi na po kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makapag-discuss pa ng ibang matters," Corona said.

Corona, who has yet to assume the position of acting mayor, said she will study the possibility of asking for police power once again.

"Pag-aaralan po natin kung paano po 'yung magiging sunod na aksyon po natin," she said.

Halili was stripped of police power in October 2017 following his inclusion in the list of government officials with alleged links to drug use. He denied he was involved in illegal drugs.

Prior to his death, Halili continued his campaign against illegal drugs which was criticized for his humiliation of alleged drug suspects via a "Walk of Shame" despite a lack of evidence in some cases.

Halili rebranded the infamous stunt to "Walk of Change" to encourage drug dependents to enter rehabilitation.

All transactions and services at the city hall will continue despite ongoing investigations, the vice mayor said.

Corona called for prayers for justice from her constituents while police continue their manhunt operations.

"Ako po'y nananawagan sa inyo na sana po ay patuloy ang ating pagdadasal para sa pamilya po ni Mayor Tony Halili at sana po mabigyan ng hustisya 'yung pagkamatay ni Mayor Tony," she said. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News