Filipino mayor gunned down

A FILIPINO mayor known for parading drug suspects in public but also alleged to have drug ties himself has been shot dead.

Mayor Antonio Halili, pictured, of Tanauan City in Batangas province, south of Manila, was gunned down during a flag-raising ceremony in front of horrified employees.

The bullet hit a mobile phone in Mr Halili’s coat pocket and then pierced his chest, police said. The unidentified attacker fled the scene.