COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A civil engineer was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Thursday morning in Barangay Datu Balabaran.

Guiafar Abdullah, 33, an engineer of Hay-at Mindanao Littanmiah Inc. was on his way to work onboard a motorcycle when two men riding in tandem on another motorcycle shot him several times.

He died instantly.

Authorities are looking into personal grudge and work as the possible motives in the killing.

“Maaari ding may kinalaman ito sa kanyang trabaho, pero iniimbestigahan pa natin. Kailangang makipagtulungan ang pamilya para mapadali ang pagresolba sa kaso,” said Superintendent Marcy Salting.

Recovered from the crime scene were seven empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol.