A town mayor in Cagayan Province was shot dead while campaigning Wednesday night, police said.

Mayor Joel Ruma was hit on his right shoulder by a bullet from a 5.56 millimeter rifle, which traveled downward, affecting vital organs before exiting in his lower back, said Col. Randulf Tuano, public information officer for the Philippine National Police.

“Lmalabas sa kanilang initial investigation na isang tama lag mula sa sniper rifle ang ginamit,” he said in a news briefing at Camp Crame Friday.

Three other people were injured during the incident.

Ruma, who is running for a second term in the midterm elections, has not received any threat to his security.

Police said it has recorded 30 validated election-related cases, eight suspected cases of violence, and 20 non-related cases of violence as from January 12 to April 24. DMS-Velle Velez-Whit