CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A former legal officer of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) assigned in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen near the entrance of Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Zone 1, Barangay Carmen, Friday afternoon.

Police identified the victim as Niruh Kyle Antatico, a former agrarian reform legal officer.

According to Police Major Peter Tajor, commander of Police Community Precinct 4, Antatico was driving his Nissan sedan when a motorcycle drew up beside his vehicle. The back rider then pulled out a pistol and fired several shots at close range.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and two more in the torso, causing him to lose control of his vehicle, which then crashed into the rear of a truck.

Rescuers from Oro Rescue responded to the scene and found the victim still alive. He was rushed to the J.R. Borja Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Investigators recovered four empty shells of a 9mm pistol from the crime scene. The suspects, both wearing helmets and jackets, fled after the shooting.

Major Tajor said police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and have launched a hot pursuit operation.

He also revealed that the victim’s father told investigators that Antatico had received death threats prior to the attack.

“We are following leads suggesting that the shooting may be work-related,” Tajor said, declining to provide further details.