Unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and seriously injured a former Polomolok town councilor in South Cotabato on his way to the municipal hall on Friday morning.

Former councilor Rhyolite Agregado Balili, now Polomolok Mayor Bernie Palencia's personal secretary, was shot at close range inside his vehicle near the town hall grounds.

Balili had multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body.

Polomolok police chief Lt. Col. Joseph Forro III said the victim was taken to a private hospital in nearby General Santos City.

Palencia has condemned the attack and directed police to collaborate with the military in locating and apprehending the perpetrators.

Three members of the town's Civil Security Unit, including a former police major who served as chief civil security, were killed by unknown assailants in January of this year.