DIGOS CITY, Philippines?Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas said he wants the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to outlaw the wearing of ski masks in the province because it has become an effective tool for criminals to conceal their identities.

Cagas issued the statement in the wake of attacks by masked, motorcycle-riding gunmen in the province.

The latest victim was schoolmaster Angelito Margate of Kiblawan town, who was gunned down while on his way to the town center here Thursday morning.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao del Sur police director, said Margate was the second government official killed in two days in the province.

On Wednesday, unidentified gunmen who also wore hoods, shot dead the chairman of Kiblawan town?s Barangay Sto. Niño.

Senior Police Officer 1 Robert Ubas, investigator of the Sulop town police, said Ananias Pelletero, 45, was going back to his village from this city when fired upon by one of two men in Barangay Tanwalang in Sulop around 12:50 p.m.

Pelletero succumbed to three gunshot wounds, one in the head and two in his waist and was declared dead on arrival at the nearby Gregorio Matas Hospital, he said.

As in other killings by motorcycle-riding men in the province, Ubas said the motive behind the killing of Pelletero has not been established yet.

On Saturday, Princess Joy Liño and Veman Alagasi of Digos City were also killed by motorcycle-riding men while drinking liquor at a store.

Dela Rosa said it appeared the attacks were not related.

Cagas said witnesses were useless if they cannot identify suspects in a crime because they wore masks.

?The SP (Sanggunian Panlalawigan) should pass a provincial ordinance to ban the wearing, carrying of ski masks,? he said.

Cagas said aside from banning the wearing of ski masks, the provincial board should also pass a resolution regulating its sale.

Dela Rosa said the police were ready to implement any ordinance that would ban the wearing of ski masks and their sale.

However, he said that unless a law was passed, the police could not do anything against those who wear or sell ski masks.