The killing of Councilor Ponciano Onia in Umingan, Pangasinan may be linked to politics, according to the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office.

Onia, a former barangay captain and a two-term councilor, was running for re-election in the 2025 midterm elections.

He was the national president of a party-list group, which may have further fueled political tensions.

"Nakakalungkot din, baka maging basis 'yan or sabihin ng iba na magulo ang eleksyon sa Pangasinan," Atty. Ericson Organiza, Pangasinan Provincial Election Supervisor, said.

Investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, as of this writing, with a task group formed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify the motive and those responsible for the crime.

According to PLt. Trisha Guzman, spokesperson for the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Onia, they are working closely with Onia's family to uncover the reason behind the killing.

"Nagku-coordinate po tayo sa kanila, [sa pamilya], sa pagsasagawa ng investigation, para malaman natin ang possible motive sa nangyari kay Onia," Guzman said.

The local government admitted that the incident has affected the peace and order situation in the town significantly.

"Malaking epekto po; lalo na ngayon papalapit na ang eleksyon... tahimik ang Umingan," Mayor Michael Carleone Cruz said.

Despite the shock of the incident, the mayor remains confident that the PNP will resolve the case, soon.

The COMELEC has convened the Municipal Joint Security Control Center in Umingan to assess if the town should be declared an area of concern.