LOPEZ Jaena town Mayor Michael Gutierrez died today in Manila where he was brought after sustaining a gunshot wound fired from a suspected sniper during a party before Christmas.

Gutierrez’s daughter, Sangunian Board member Andrea Pinky Gutierrez confirmed her father’s passing in her Facebook post.

“You will always be our vice governor, Pa. Rest in Peace, I love you very much,” Andrea posted in her Facebook account.

Gutierrez was airlifted to Manila on December 24 after a medical operation at MHARS General Hospital in Ozamiz City.

His family earlier posted that Gutierrez sustained a gunshot wound in the “left side of the brain” that also “affected the right side of the brain.”

Gutierrez never regained consciousness, his family said.

He and members of the PDP-Laban and Asenso Ozamiz political party were partying at the Working Coffee Building at a gas station in Sitio Pulao, Barangay VII in Tangub when the alleged sniper fired at them on December 22.

Police investigator Deony Dale Alviar said a lone gunshot was heard while Gutierrez, Rep. Henry Oaminal (2nd district, Misamis Occidental), and former Oroquita City Mayor Jason Almonte were enjoying the party.

Oaminal and Almonte sustained minor injuries and were treated in the hospitals in Ozamiz City.

Supporters sent outpourings of sympathy to the Gutierrez family.

“Misamis residents will grieve the loss of a good public servant,” Board Member Ruvy Ala said in her post.

“You are now in God’s hand kuya Mayor Michael Gutierrez. No more pain, no more sufferings,” a certain Carmelito Heray said.

Gutierrez was seeking the elective post of Misamis Occidental vice governor and was the running mate of Rep. Henry Oaminal who is running for governor.

He was running against Richard Centeno (National Unity Party) and Alfredo Conol of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Oaminal condemned the attack as a “desperate and cowardly attempt on our lives” as he claimed the bullet was intended for him.

“The assassin’s bullet barely missed me, with the intention of bereaving my beloved family this Yuletide season,” he said, adding “I only suffered minor wounds.”

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda, chief of the Philippine National Police in Region 10 has formed a task force to run after the lone sniper and urged the public to provide information leading to the arrest.