The mayor of the island town of Tagapul-an, Samar was wounded when gunmen opened fire at him in his farm Thursday.
Police Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered an intensified manhunt against the gunmen of Mayor Vicente Limpiado Jr.
"I already directed the regional director of Eastern Visayas to expedite investigation of the incident for the immediate identification and arrest of the suspect," said Gamboa.
Police said Limpiado was standing in front of his farm in Barangay Sugod at around 8 a.m. when gunmen started shooting him.
Limpiado sustained bullet wounds in the back. He was immediately taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
The mayor is reportedly in critical condition.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, Eastern Visayas regional director, said he has ordered a regional manhunt against the suspects.