COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Two days before the election gun ban, the vice mayor of Kabacan, North Cotabato, was shot dead by armed men riding on motorcycles, police said.

Killed at around 3pm Friday, January 11, was Vice Mayor Pol Dulay, who was shot along University Avenue in Kabacan as he was about to ride his motorcycle.

He was rushed to the Kabacan Medical clinic but was declared dead on arrival, according to Inspector Leo Ajero, chief of police of Kabacan.

The provincial police are now in hot pursuit operation against the gunmen.

The vice mayor's son, Nilo Dulay, told a local radio station: “Maybe those people who wanted to kill him are happy now.” He believes politics is the motive for the attack. “My father could freely roam the town because he never received death threats. He enjoyed mingling with people," the younger Dulay added.

The slain vice mayor is running for re-election unopposed.

The gun ban, aimed at ensuring peaceful elections in May, will take effect on Sunday, January 13. - Rappler.com