(6th UPDATE) Former La Union congressman Eufranio Eriguel was shot dead in Barangay Capas, Agoo in the province Saturday, police have confirmed.

According to Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, director of Philippine National Police-Region 1, Eriguel's civilian bodyguards Bong Tubera and Bobby Ordinario were also killed.

Police said the victims were brought to La Union Medical Center but were declared dead on arrival.

According to an initial police report, the shooting happened at about 7 p.m.

The suspects were on board a black Mitsubishi Montero and a white Toyota Innova and fled the scene.

Police have launched operations for the possible arrest of the suspects and an investigation is ongoing.

According to one of the emergency personnel that first arrived at the scene, Eriguel was attending a general assembly of candidates running for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Eriguel was gunned down as he was speaking.

His bodyguards tried to shield Eriguel from the assailants, but were killed in the process.

Eriguel was the husband of Sandra Eriguel, incumbent congressional representative La Union's second district.

He was also on the list of alleged "drug coddlers" from local government units whom President Rodrigo Duterte identified in August 2016.

• FULL TRANSCRIPT: Duterte's exposé vs drug-tagged officials

In April 2016, Eufranio Eriguel survived a bomb attack that left several people injured.

Eriguel was on board an SUV during the blast. The van tailing the SUV was badly hit, leaving 4 passengers and a driver injured.

(More details to follow.)

--With reports from Ron Lopez and Justin Aguilar, ABS-CBN News