A lawyer, who is the general manager of the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (NONECO) based in Manapla, Negros Occidental, was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant along a major road in Bacolod City past midnight Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The victim, Danny Pondevilla, 47, also served as the acting general manager of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) based in Bacolod City for a year until December 2021.

Bacolod City Police Office Station 2 said investigators proceeded to the scene of the crime at the corner of 16th and Lacson Streets and found Pondevilla lifeless on the driver’s seat of his white Honda CR-V.

“Follow-up operation is ongoing to identify the suspect,” the police added.

A bullet shell of .45-caliber pistol and a slug of an undetermined firearm were recovered at the crime scene.

The incident took place shortly after Pondevilla attended the Christmas gathering of NONECO personnel in a nearby hotel.

Local media reports said there have been conflicting details on the incident as witnesses had allegedly seen Pondevilla board his vehicle with another person while there are claims that a drive-by shooter fired at him.

Meanwhile, the respective managements of NONECO and CENECO mourned the death of Pondevilla on social media.PNA