A REELECTED town official was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Wednesday, June 19.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the slain town official as Councilor Cicero Gurrea, 59, who was reelected to serve on his second term of office in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez said Gurrea was shot and killed around 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, in the village of Piao, Sindangan.

Investigation showed Gurrea was driving a jeep with 10 students on the way to Sindangan National High School when he was shot by one of two men who were onboard a motorcycle that tailed the town official.

Galvez said Gurrea sustained three gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Sindangan District Hospital by a passerby but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Further investigation showed the gunmen sped off toward the village of Poblacion, Sindangan.

Police in Sindangan are still conducting an investigation to identify the gunmen who were clad with crash helmets and jackets.

Before he was elected as town councilor, Gurrea has served as an ex-officio Provincial Board member being the president of the Zamboanga del Norte's Liga ng mga Barangay (Association of Barangay Captains). (SunStar Philippines)