ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Philippines -- A barangay (village) chairman, who assumed office last March, was shot dead in an ambush staged by two men riding a motorcycle at about 12 noon Tuesday, in Quios village, Panitan town, Capiz, 20 kilometers from Roxas City.

Quios village chief Rolando Besorio was declared dead on arrival at the Bailan District Hospital in Pontevedra, Capiz, the police said. Besorio had a single gunshot wound in the head.

According to SPO1 Nonoy Oficial of the Panitan Police Station, the victim was driving the village’s patrol multicab from the Panitan town proper when one of the two motorcycle-riding men shot him at close range.

The lone passenger, 60-year-old Aurora Deocampo, who was sitting at the back, was left unharmed by the men.

Deocampo, who said she was still in shock over the shooting, said she could recognize the gunmen if she saw them again.

Deocampo said the assailants, both wearing black shirts, fled towards the nearby Maayon town.

Besorio, who was once the top vote-getting barangay kagawad (village councilor), took over as village chief when Dante del Mindo died in a shootout at the dance hall of Quios village in the evening of Feb. 27, 2009.

A civilian, John Peonelo, also died during the shootout.

The police have launched manhunt against the two men.