Iloilo vice mayor’s death ‘accidental,’ police conclude

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said police investigators have concluded that the death of Dueñas, Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan was caused by an accidental firearm discharge.

“Our conclusion, after the recreation of the scene and events, testimonies of the people there, and examination of all aspects of the relationship, is that it was a death by accidental fire,” Remulla said during a press conference.

Remulla said Lamasan and her partner, Lord Byron Torrecarion, were talking before the incident, which occurred at around 8 p.m. on December 30, 2025.

During the conversation, Torrecarion allegedly asked Lamasan if she wanted to add optics to her firearm.

Lamasan reportedly asked to see the gun, which Remulla said had previously belonged to Torrecarion before it was transferred to her.

According to Remulla, the firearm involved was a race gun equipped with a very light trigger.

When Lamasan picked up the gun, she allegedly held it improperly, with her thumb on the trigger, causing the firearm to discharge accidentally.

“When it was open, she picked it up in the wrong way. When she picked it up with her thumb on the trigger, it resulted in an accidental fire,” Remulla said.

The bullet which entered Lamasan’s abdomen was identified as a hollow-point round, resulting in extensive internal injuries, according to the DILG chief.

“The damage was extensive internally, and bullet fragments were left inside her body,” he said.

Lamasan died at a hospital while undergoing treatment on New Year’s Eve.—MCG, GMA Integrated News