Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 10) - The mayor of Balete town in Batangas was shot dead Saturday, police said.

Mayor Joven Hidalgo was watching a basketball game at the municipal plaza when gunmen shot him on the head, Balete police said.

Hidalgo was rushed to the Metro Lipa Medical Center in Lipa City but was declared dead on arrival.

The suspects fled on board a white van. Pursuit operations are ongoing.

This is a developing story. Please refresh page for updates.

Lipa City-based journalist Ron Lozano contributed to this report.