The vice mayor of Milagros town in Masbate province was wounded while his bodyguard in an ambush by unidentified men Tuesday afternoon.

Masbate police said Vice-Mayor Antonio de Jesus was returning from Barangay Dayao in Mandaon town onboard a motorcycle with three security escorts when bullets rained on them in Barangay Matiporon in Milagros town.

De Jesus was reportedly hit on the back and hand. One of his bodyguards, identified as Maya Areniado, however was reportedly killed instantly.

De Jesus was reported being treated at Masbate Provincial Hospital.

Police said that they are looking at politics as the possible cause of the ambush. With a report from Jose Carretero, ABS-CBN Bicol