Two were killed while five others were injured after they were shot early morning on election day, May 12, 2025, in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

The shooting happened right in front of the headquarters of a candidate for mayor at past 6 a.m.

According to the police, the victims were keeping watch for alleged vote buying in the area when shot.

The suspect arrived in the area on board a white van.

Two of the seven victims were pronounced dead on arrival at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Hospital. The other five are being treated, as of this writing.

The police are confirming whether the victims are employees of the city government and supporters of the mayoral candidate.

In Mel Tiangco's interview with Police General Arnold Ibay, Negros Island Region director, for GMA-7's #Eleksyon2025 special elections coverage, Ibay said they consider the incident to be election-related. 

"Kino-consider na po natin yan kasi nangyari during Election Day, suspect natin ay isang barangay captain, pero ang motibo is iniimbestigahan pa natin. All we have now is yung merong tinamaan ng shrapnel, dalawang dead on arrival, at yung suspect na na-identify na natin na isang barangay captain,” Ibay said.

Voting has proceeded despite the incident, Ibay added. 

According to a witness, alias “Bebing,” there were victims who asked help from them.

“Maraming tama kasi ang nasa labas, nasa gitna ng kalsada. Tapos nakakalat sila. May nakapasok dito sa amin, nagtago pa sa labas,” Bebing said. 

Based on police investigation, the victims were outside a political group’s headquarters.

“Nakatambay ang mga tao dito at nagkakape. Dumaan sir (ang) barangay captain sakay ng isang van. At pagdaan dito, pinagbabaril na,” Bebing added.

In a statement issued by Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, he said the victims served as volunteer watchdogs against vote buying. 

“Kung kinonfirm ni Mayor, pwede nating ma-confirm na supporters niya,” Colonel Rainero de Chavez, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said.

De Chavez  said that the incident happened in front of the headquarters of the party of mayoral candidate Mark Golez.

“Yes, headquarters sa kabilang grupo. May coordination na tayong ginagawa,” de Chavez said.

The legal counsel of Golez’ party denied that the area is a headquarter. He said that it was a "meeting place for supporters."

Atty. Edward Davila, legal counsel, has condemned the incident and called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

“Just to be clear, this is not an official headquarters. This is just a private residence na ipinahiram ng isang supporter,” Davila said.

Police are awaiting a search warrant to be able to gain entry into the area.

Police already have a person of interest in the incident.

“Yes, barangay captain ng Barangay Lantad. Yan pa yung iniimbestigahan natin," de Chavez said.

Further, it was learned that the barangay captain has two cohort.