ILOILO CITY — Authorities have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of Dueñas, Iloilo Vice Mayor Aimee Paz Lamasan, who succumbed to a gunshot wound on New Year’s Eve after an incident initially described as accidental.

The Police Regional Office VI (PRO VI) directed the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to intensify its investigation following reports that the 49-year-old vice mayor allegedly shot herself in the stomach with a 9mm pistol at her residence in La Paz District, Iloilo City, on December 30, 2025. She was rushed to a private hospital but later died while undergoing treatment.

Major Lailyn Sencil, spokesperson of PRO VI, confirmed the creation of the SIT to ensure a thorough probe. “Tututukan ito ng SIT upang ma-pinpoint natin kung ano ba ang behind sa insidenteng ito at kung ano pa ang details at least, ma-resolve na natin once and for all ang case na ito,” Sencil said.

ICPO Director Colonel Kim Legada said investigators are examining physical evidence collected from Lamasan’s residence, including the firearm involved, and reviewing sworn statements. “We are looking at accidental firing,” Legada earlier stated, noting that the incident allegedly occurred while the vice mayor was preparing her belongings for travel back to Dueñas.

Police also disclosed that Lamasan’s live-in partner, Lord Byron Torrecarion, provided a statement about the incident. To strengthen the probe, authorities have requested an autopsy on Lamasan’s body and a paraffin test on Torrecarion, though both remain pending.

Legada emphasized that the SIT will leave no angle unexplored. “The creation of the SIT was meant to ensure transparency and a comprehensive investigation,” he said.

The incident has drawn public attention given Lamasan’s position as an elected official. While initial findings pointed to accidental discharge, police officials underscored that the SIT will validate all evidence before reaching a conclusion.

Vice Mayor Lamasan, who had served Dueñas town with distinction, was remembered by colleagues and constituents as a dedicated public servant. Her sudden death has prompted calls for clarity and accountability, with the SIT expected to deliver findings once the investigation is completed.

When Power, Tragedy, and Truth Intersect

Public office carries visibility, but tragedy demands restraint. The death of a sitting vice mayor is not just a private loss. It tests public trust in institutions tasked with finding truth amid grief and speculation.

The formation of a Special Investigation Team is a necessary step, not because conclusions must change, but because confidence must be earned. Transparency matters most when initial explanations feel incomplete. Silence feeds rumor. Clarity restores calm.

This case reminds us that accountability is not accusation. It is diligence. The public deserves answers grounded in evidence, delivered without haste, and guided by integrity. Only then can justice serve the living and honor the dead.