UPDATED: Controversial Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Halili dies after being shot during flag-raising ceremony

(Eagle News)–Controversial Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was shot dead as he was presiding over the town’s flag ceremony on Monday, July 2.

The police said Halili was shot around 8 a.m.

A video posted by Gerry Yson Laresma, Tanauan City information officer ,showed Halili standing beside other city officials.

A few minutes later, a shot was heard, followed by screams from attendees of the ceremony.

The police said Halili was rushed to the CP Reyes Medical Center but he was declared dead on arrival.

Halili was included in the list of officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, but he has denied the allegations.

He also earned criticisms after parading suspects across the city with placards.