JANUARY 1, 2026 — Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan of Dueñas, Iloilo, died on December 31 after suffering a gunshot wound from her own firearm inside her residence at Puerto Real Subdivision, La Paz district. She was 47.

Police reports said the incident happened around 7:00 a.m. on December 30 while Lamasan was preparing to travel back to Dueñas. Initial findings indicated she was handling her 9mm pistol when it accidentally discharged, hitting her in the abdomen.

Her live-in partner, Lord Byron Torrecarion, rushed her to St. Paul’s Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. A second operation followed, but complications proved fatal. 

Dueñas Mayor Robert Martin Pama confirmed her passing, posting: “There is no goodbyes between us. See you in the next life. I know we will still be together. Rest in peace to my beloved Vice Mayor Lamasan.”

The tragedy has stirred grief across Iloilo, with colleagues and constituents expressing shock. Police Col. Kim Legada of the Iloilo City Police Office said investigators are still piecing together the circumstances, though early findings point to accidental firing.

It only takes one mistake to lose a life 

Firearms remain common in many Filipino households, but accidents like this highlight the risks of improper handling. Responsible ownership means ensuring weapons are stored securely, unloaded when not in use, and kept away from children. Experts also stress the importance of regular training, safe storage boxes, and never handling a gun when distracted or fatigued.

Guns demand respect and discipline. A single lapse can cost a life.

Vice Mayor Lamasan’s death is a painful reminder that in every household with a firearm, safety must come before anything else.

One slip with a gun, and it’s over.

(Image: Aimee Paz Lamasan | Facebook)