MANILA: Philippine officials say gunmen killed a town mayor and wounded his vice mayor and at least three other companions in an ambush while they were traveling in a van in a far-flung southern region.

Police say Mayor Randy Climaco and his companions had come from a village fiesta and were returning home in a van when they came under attack Monday afternoon in Tungawan town in Zamboanga Sibugay province. The heavily-armed attackers escaped.

Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Palma said Tungawan Vice Mayor Abduraup Abison was in serious condition in a hospital after being shot in the head.

Investigators were trying to determine the identity of the gunmen and the motive of the attack.

Such violence has long tarnished Philippine politics, especially in remote rural regions.