CABADBARAN CITY - A 53-year old Manobo tribal chief was shot dead by unidentified gunmen here Tuesday morning.

Rusty Porogoy, 53, was shot at 7 a.m. along the National Highway in Barangay Comagascas. He sustained three gunshot wounds in his body.

Porogoy was driving his motorcycle on his way to his hometown in Santiago, Agusan del Norte when he was attacked by unidentified men.

Residents who witnessed the incident could not identify the motorcycle-riding gunmen, who were all wearing helmets, bull caps and face masks.

Police said they are looking into a land dispute as the possible motive behind the killing.

Three empty shells of a caliber .45 gun were recovered from the crime scene.