THE mayor of Balete town in Batangas was shot dead Saturday morning, police said.

Balete mayor Joven Hidalgo was gunned down by a lone assailant around 10 a.m. while he was watching a basketball game in Barangay Poblacion.

Senior Superintendent Nerwin Ricohermoso, Batangas police community Relations chief, said the suspect escaped onboard a white van.

Hidalgo, who was serving his last term as Balete mayor, was pronounced dead at Metro Lipa Medical Center in Lipa City.

Police have yet to identify the motive behind the crime. (SunStar Philippines)

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