VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — A climate of fear has engulfed the province following the broad daylight killing of a member of the Sangguniang Bayan on Saturday morning. Local news sources believe the murder was carried out by suspected hired killers and may have been politically motivated.

The victim was having breakfast in front of Perla Refreshment (food stall) located at the busy street in Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur when one of two individuals aboard a motorcycle shot the victim once on the head.

“It’s scary here during the election with these killings happening,” said a vice mayoral candidate who requested to remain anonymous.

The vice mayoral candidate admitted that he also fears for his life, saying “you are a candidate for execution if you have a big chance of winning.”

Gun-for-hire killers often strike before, during, and after elections in this province and the neighboring Abra province.

According to P/Lt. Amado Somera of the Vigan City police, the victim was sitting in the area when the gunmen suddenly approached and shot him at close range in the head. He died instantly.

Civilians who witnessed the incident reported that the suspects, riding in tandem, were seen loitering in the area prior to the shooting, which raised suspicions that they were familiar with the victim’s whereabouts.

The police are continuing their investigation, but some local news outlets suspect the killing may have been politically motivated, given that the victim was a former president of the Association of Barangay Captains and had played a prominent role in local politics.

Col. Darnell Dulnuan, the police director, declined to answer reporters’ questions.