IBAJAY, Aklan — A municipal board member in Ibajay is now facing a murder charge after allegedly gunning down the town’s vice mayor inside the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) building.

On Saturday, authorities formally charged SB member Mihrel Senatin with murder over the killing of Vice Mayor Julio Estolloso the day before. The attack shocked the small Aklan town, where such acts of violence inside a government building are almost unheard of.

Investigators said Estolloso sustained 18 gunshot wounds, both entry and exit, during the incident. Reports suggest the confrontation may have stemmed from a dispute over the sharing of official documents.

Police confirmed that Senatin tested negative for illegal drugs. His gun was licensed, but he did not have a permit to carry it outside his home — and certainly not inside the SB building.

Senatin remains in police custody and will be transferred to the appropriate detention facility on Sunday.

Murder is a non-bailable offense under Philippine law.

The shooting has left municipal employees shaken.

The local government has ordered a stress debriefing for SB staff and announced tighter security at the Municipal Hall, including a “One Entry, One Exit” policy for all visitors and employees.

Just a day before the incident, residents saw Senatin and Estolloso together during a session, appearing cordial — making the deadly turn of events even more difficult for the community to comprehend.