Iloilo vice mayor dies in ‘accidental firing’

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January 2, 2026 | 12:00am

 IlOILO CITY , Philippines  – A municipal vice mayor in Iloilo died in an alleged accidental firing incident that occurred in her property in La Paz district in this city on Tuesday.

Aime Paz Lamasan, 49, of Dueñas town, suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen and was rushed to the St. Paul’s Hospital for treatment.

Reports said Lamasan had to undergo two surgeries and was waiting for the second one when she died on Wednesday afternoon.

Lamasan’s political allies including Dueñas Mayor Robert Martin Pama confirmed reports of her passing on the same day.

“There are no goodbyes between us. See you in the next life,” Pama said in a post on social media. 

He referred to Lamasan as his “sister and beloved vice mayor.”

Police said the incident, which occurred in Puerto Real de Iloilo Subdivision, was reported by hospital personnel to the Iloilo City police station 3 at past 7 a.m. on Tuesday. 

Initial reports said Lamasan was preparing her things as she was supposed to return to Dueñas.

Police said Lamasan was about to place her firearm,  a Tanfoglio .9mm pistol, in a safety box when she accidentally pulled the trigger, with  a bullet hitting her abdomen.

Lamasan was rushed to the hospital by an official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and her bodyguard.

Col. Kim Legada, Iloilo City police chief, said that Lamasan was a gun enthusiast and a shooter, and had been carrying a handgun.

The firearm was turned over to the city police Station 3 and forwarded to the Western Visayas police forensics unit for examination.

Legada said a special investigation team has been created to look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He said he would lead the probe team.

Aside from the LTO official and Lamasan’s bodyguard, a helper and a relative were at the house when the incident occurred, probers said.

“We will request for an official statement from those who were with her when the incident happened,” Legada said.