BATANGAS CITY, Batangas, Philippines—A 39-year-old former police asset was shot dead by a still unidentified man in Barangay 1, Lipa City, Wednesday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Batangas police director, said victim Emmerson Lina was shot with a .45 pistol, at around 1 a.m., in his residence along P. Morada Avenue.

He had four bullet wounds in the head and died on the spot.

Police were in hot pursuit of the suspect who fled after the killing.

They are looking into politics as a motive for the killing.

Lina recently announced that he would run for village chairman in the October 25, 2010, barangay elections.