AN INCUMBENT village councilman was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding assailant Monday, December 9, along the national highway in Barangay San Luiz, Gingoog City.

Police identified the victim as Alexander Mandamiento, who was also the former barangay chairman of San Luiz.

Initial investigation showed that Mandamiento was shot along the highway by an unidentified gunman who fled the crime scene heading towards the Medina town area.

The gunman had an accomplice waiting for him in a motorcycle which they used to escape the area.

Lt. Col. Ariel Philip Pontillas, Gingoog City Police Chief, said they are eyeing personal grudge as possible motive of the shooting.

Pontillas said Mandamiento allegedly owed someone with as much as P4 million.

"Initially dako cya utang 4M total tanan, sige daw paningil sa iya dili nya bali-balihon. But isa lang na sa angle kay amo pa-istoryahon ang pamilya niya," he added.