A COUNCILOR in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental was shot to death by two unidentified men on a motorcycle along the national highway of Barangay Poblacion Monday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Councilor Paulo Edison dela Rita.

Superintendent Bonifacio Tecson, city police chief, said the victim was on his way home riding a motorcycle when he was blocked by the armed men around 7:35 a.m.

The assailants, who were wearing helmet and jacket, fired at the victim several times and fled on board a motorcycle.

Dela Rita was brought to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Tecson said the councilor always had a bodyguard with him and was able to survive the attempt on his life for three times already. He was alone when the incident happened.

On July 21, 2017, Dela Rita survived the attempt on his life after he was also ambushed by suspected rebels in the city that resulted to the death of Superintendent Arnel Arpon, former city police chief, and five other policemen who responded to his call for assistance. The councilor’s driver was also killed.

Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento, director of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), said the victim might be aware of a threat on his life, as police recovered a .9mm caliber pistol from his possession.

However, authorities cannot yet determine if rebels were behind Dela Rita’s death.

Police eyed politics or grudge as the motive of the incident. Investigation is ongoing.