A FORMER village official was killed in a drive-by shooting in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Monday, July 19, 2021.

Police Major Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the fatality as Marlon Ongo Manisig, 60, the former village chief of Canuto Enerio, Gutalac, Zamboagna del Norte.

Chang said Manisig was shot dead around 11:10 p.m. Sunday, July 18, along the national highway in Lower Lux village, Gutalac.

She said investigation showed that Manisig was driving a motorcycle from the town of Gutalac to Labason when shot with a caliber 5.56-millimeter rifle by an unidentified gunman aboard a vehicle that got abreast him.

The gunman’s vehicle sped toward Labason town after the incident.

The victim was rushed to Labason Emergency Hospital for treatment but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Chang said investigation continues to establish the motive of the incident and unmask the person behind it. (SunStar Zamboanga)