TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Motorcycle-riding gunmen killed a Davao del Norte village chief and his son during an ambush in Panabo City early morning Saturday.

Superintendent Jessie Estrada, deputy police chief of Davao del Norte, identified the victims as Roberto Paro, chief of Barangay Sindaton in Panabo City and his son, Robe John.

Estrada said the victims were on an Isuzu elf truck owned by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), where they both worked, when ambushed around 5 a.m.

"The elder Paro was a farm superintendent of Tadeco aside from being barangay captain of Sindaton," he said.

Investigators said the victims were going to the Panabo public market in Sto. Niño village when they were shot.

Based on investigation, the assailants used handguns in shooting the victims.

The elder Paro died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds, while his son, who was hit in the head and right leg, expired while being rushed to a local hospital.

In recent months, several village officials in the province had either been killed or wounded in attacks by New People's Army rebels for their alleged participation in the government's anti-communist campaign.

But Estrada said they have yet to establish the identity and the motive of the suspects in the killing of the Paros.