BATAN, Aklan - Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas opted to serve the people of Sapad, Lanao del Norte despite the fact that his stint as doctor to the barrio ended in 2014.

His mother, school teacher Leovigilda Perlas, said her son was always passionate about helping others even when he was still a student.

She said he often joined outreach programs in school and donated whatever he can. After finishing medicine at West Visayas State University in Iloilo City in 2011, he spent his post-graduate internship at Villamor Hospital.

In 2012, he joined the DTTB (Doctor to the Barrio) program of the Department of Health (DOH) and was assigned in Sapad, Lanao del Norte.

Despite their worries for their son's safety, Mrs. Perlas said he was persistent in serving the community of Sapad.

The doctor would text his mother every night to share his activities. She said she got worried on Wednesday when she did not receive any text message from her son.

She was eventually informed that her son was gunned down while onboard his motorcycle.

Mrs. Perlas expressed her anger toward the gunman who shot her son for no apparent reason.

The family is now seeking justice for Dr. Perlas.

The victim’s father, who is a councilor of Batan, together with Dr. Drey's sister, went to Lanao del Norte to get the remains of slain doctor.