ILIGAN CITY - A barrio doctor was shot dead by an unidentified assailant while he was driving his motorcycle in Kapatagan town late Wednesday, police said.

The victim, Dreyfuss Perlas, sustained a gunshot wound to his back. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Police ruled out robbery as motive for the crime, because none of Perlas’ belongings were missing.

Perlas, who hails from Aklan, has been in Lanao del Norte province under the government's Doctors to the Barrios program since 2012.

The victim, who worked to improve health services in the province, was nominated for the Bayani ng Kalusugan award and was hailed as one of the region's top “health heroes.”

One of Perlas' patients in Sapad town, Rosavilla Tamiat, said his death was a loss to the community, because he helped patients even after work hours.