Police said former Oroquieta Mayor Jason Almonte and the mayor of the town Lopez Jaena, Michael Gutierrez, were wounded in the gunfire and rushed to an Ozamiz City hospital. Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Rep. Henry Oaminal, who was also wounded, suffered minor bruises, according to the Manila Bulletin. Oaminal and Jason Almonte have since been discharged from hospital, the paper reported.

Police told Rappler that Almonte was hit by a splinter on the neck and Gutierrez was badly hurt—the sniper’s bullet pierced through his temple and ploughed through his neck, coming out the other side.

Gutierrez is in intensive care and fighting for his life at the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City, Rappler reported. Via his Facebook page, his family released a statement saying that doctors were done with the surgery at around 3 a.m. Thursday, but Gutierrez had suffered severe brain injuries. His family added that he has not yet regained consciousness.

The men were attending a party at a gas station owned by the Oaminals in Sitio Pulao, Barangay VII, Tangub City, when a bullet pierced through the glass door at around 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Police Senior Master Sergeant Deony Dale Alviar told Rappler.

In response to the incident, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered a lockdown the city. Police are hunting for the suspects behind the shooting.

“Additional policemen were fielded to assist the local police in setting up mobile checkpoints around Tangub City,” Carlos told the Manila Bulletin.

Gutierrez, Almonte, and Rep. Oaminal are all running in the May 2022 elections. Almonte is a congressional candidate in the province’s 1st district while Gutierrez is running for vice governor. Oaminal is running for governor.

Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal called the shooting a “desperate move” but did not provide more details, Rappler reported. He said his father Henry, brother Indy, and members of their Misamis Occidental ticket and supporters were all at the party.

Almonte’s uncle, Fructouso Paredes, told Rappler his nephew had just finished speaking to others at the party and had taken his seat when the shot was heard.

Paredes said the Oaminals’ security staff quickly put the lights out and covered Almonte and other guests with tablecloths.