MANILA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Philippine lawmaker and his police escort were shot dead on Saturday afternoon while attending a gift-giving event for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in northern Philippines' Albay province.

Local police said Rodel Batocabe, 52, a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, was gunned down around 3 pm local time at the covered court of Burgos, a village in Daraga, south of Manila.

Police are still piecing together details of the assassination. And so far, no group has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Police said Batocabe and his security escort were taken to a hospital but declared dead on arrival.

The Philippine midterm election is scheduled in May next year. More than 18,000 national and local positions, like senators, congressmen, governors and city mayors, will be up for election.

Batocabe is reportedly running for the mayor of Daraga where he is a resident.

Police are investigating whether the killing is related to the forthcoming election.