MANILA, Philippines - Two municipal councilor candidates were shot dead in separate incidents in Ilocos Sur and Sorsogon provinces, police said Thursday.

Police identified the local candidates as retired policeman Julio Esquivias, 46  and Artemio Tugade, 55.

Investigators said Esquivias was standing just outside his house in Casiguran town, Sorsogon province when a motorcycle-riding gunman fired shots at him on Tuesday night.

Esquivias died of multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Inspector Venesando Ramirez, Casiguran town police chief, said the retired policeman could have been killed due to his former job or because he is running for municipal councilor.

It was learned that Esquivias has been leading local election surveys in the municipality.

Meanwhile, Tugade was on board his motorcycle when 2 gunmen ambushed him in Sta. Maria town in Ilocos Sur on Wednesday afternoon.

Tugade is a former chairman of Barangay Cabaruan and was running as municipal councilor under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner.

Police said Tugade's killing could have been election-related.