By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Investigators from Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) have a strong belief that the murder of Atty. Danny Pondevilla, the general manager of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), was “work-related.”

Police Lt. Jonito Pastrana, BCPO Police Station 2 commander, said they are also eyeing personal issues as another possible motive in the incident.

Pastrana said they are currently waiting for the results of the paraffin test on the two persons of interest while the investigation is ongoing.

A post-mortem examination of Pondevilla’s remains shows that the bullet entered the back of his head and exited on his face.

On Wednesday morning, December 21, Pondevilla was shot dead while sitting inside his parked vehicle in front of a food establishment on 16th Lacson Street in Bacolod’s Barangay 7.

An empty .45 caliber shell and a bullet slug were recovered at the crime scene.

Fondly addressed as “GM Dan,” Pondevilla finished his undergraduate studies in political science at age 21, and passed the bar examinations and became a lawyer at 25.

Pondevilla was, so far, also the youngest to serve as legal officer of Negros Occidental’s Talisay City government at 27.

He previously served as general manager of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Occidental Chapter condemned the murder “in the strongest possible way.”

“We mourn the loss of Atty. Pondevilla and extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and friends,” the statement read.

“An assault to any member of the legal profession is an assault to the entire community. We will continue to be vigilant,” it added./DGB, WDJ