Pasay councilor shot in SM Southmall declared dead on arrival in hospital; Read alleged background of councilor here

Panic broke out inside SM Southmall in Las Pinas City around 8:30 this evening when people apparently heard some three gun shots and not knowing where they came from.

When the chaos subsided, it was found out that Pasay City councilor Borbie Rivera was shot in the driveway outside of the mall.

This was confirmed by Las Pinas Police chief Sr. Supt. Marion Balonlong.

The victim was then brought to Asian Hospital, according to official reports but was declared dead on arrival.

Please read the official statement of SM Southmall regarding the incident:

Alabang Bulletin learned that Rivera had already survived an ambush attempt last June wherein he was injured, together with his bodyguard.

In a news item about the ambush, The Philippine Star said:

Rivera – who is also a city councilor after being elected president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the city – was arrested in April 2015 on charges of murder for his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati in January of that year that left one person dead and nine others wounded.

Police officers from the Southern Police District (SPD) arrested Rivera after the gray Ford Mustang GT he was driving was stopped at a police checkpoint at the Magallanes interchange. The car is registered to Em Jie Corp. with business address in Binan, Laguna, investigators said.

According to SPD spokesperson Superintendent Jenny Tecson, SPD police officers followed Rivera from his residence in Biñan, Laguna to the police checkpoint. Rivera was tagged as the most wanted target by the SPD, according to Tecson.

Seized from Rivera’s car were an unlicensed Sig Sauer 556 SWAT 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle and a 9mm Heckler and Koch P2000 pistol with two magazines loaded with 29 bullets.

Tecson said Rivera is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas for murder.  

A police source earlier said a raging drug turf war could have been the motive for the drive-by shooting.

Photo from inquirer.net

The paper added that Rivera’s name also was connected to illegal gambling, drug trafficking and contract killing.

We will update you on the findings of the police investigation regarding this incident.