Aurelio Mique Jr., barangay chairman of Bitalag for 22 years, was on his way home when he was shot dead by four armed men Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Carmela Jimenez, ABS-CBN News

Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a barangay captain in Bacnotan, La Union Tuesday.

Benedicto Mique, brother of barangay chairman Aurelio Mique Jr., said the latter was on his way home when he was shot dead by four armed men.

“[Nagbibilad] kami ng palay, huminto ‘yong sasakyan ‘yong kapatid ko. Eh bigla ring may tumigil na single motor. No’ng huminto ‘yong single motor, binunot ‘yong baril ‘yong nakasakay, pinagbabaril na," recalled Benedicto.

(We were drying the grains when my brother's car stopped. And then a single motor also stopped. When the motor stopped, the passenger took out a gun and shot my brother.)

Investigation revealed Mique managed to drive his car away before bumping into a tree. The suspects then followed and shot him again.

Last week, SPO2 Edward Almirol, Intelligence Officer, was shot dead a few meters away from his home in Barangay Bitalag.

Police officers are investigation if the incidents are linked since Mique was among the signatories for Almirol's transfer.

“Isa sa mga pumirma sa transfer ni late SPO2 Almirol. Isa siyang signatory,” Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo Soria, OIC of Bacnotan Municipal Police Station, said.