Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili was shot in the chest on Monday as he presided over the city's flag ceremony, police said.

Police Region 4A PIO Chief Superintendent Chitadel Gaoiran told CNN Philippines the mayor was shot at around 7:45 am, just as the city employees started to sing the national anthem.

“Tumagos sa kanyang dibdib, so medyo critical sya ngayon,” said Mercado

The mayor was reportedly rushed by his close-in security aides to an undisclosed hospital in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza

 Halili made headlines with his controversial "walk of shame" campaign against illegal drugs, which he has been implementing since 2013.

“I have been doing ‘walk of shame’, I’ve been sending letters to suspected drug personalities, even before I have been doing my local version of tokhang. Even before Duterte became president, ginagawa ko na ‘yan sa Tanauan since 2013,” Halili said.

He said someone in Malacanang wanted to destroy him.

Halili refused to give a name but claimed that a Duterte adviser was planning run for mayor in Tanuan.

“There is someone who is trying to destroy me. He is aiming, dreaming to be a mayor. Itong taong ito ay presidential adviser,” Halili said.