Manila  - A provincial election chief was killed Saturday in a northern Philippine province where political campaigns have always been marred by violence, a regional police chief said.

Michael Valdez was tending his garden at the Country State Inn in Tumauini town in Isabela province, 245 kilometres north of Manila, when two gunmen fired at him, according to Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian.

Valdez suffered several gunshot wounds in the body and was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital, Damian said.

The two gunmen stayed at the inn for three days before the attack, apparently monitoring the movements of Valdez, according to initial police reports.

Investigators were still determining the motive behind the attack.

Isabela is a known elections hotspot and polls are often marred by violence.  (dpa)