ZAMBOANGA CITY: Motorcycle gunmen shot dead the vice mayor of Kabacan town in North Cotabato province in a daring attack, police said.

It said that the politician, Pol Dulay, was attacked on Friday while about to ride his motorbike along University Avenue. The assailants escaped after the shooting, leaving behind the bloodied politician.

Dulay was rushed to a hospital, but doctors failed to save him. It was not known whether the politician was with his bodyguards or not at the time of the attack.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the killing, but police suspect the attack could be politically motivated.

The politician was said to be seeking reelection in the May polls. His family did not release any statement about the attack, which occurred ahead of the six-month total gun ban in the country beginning on January 13.