Cops looking at three suspects in Ferdinand Bote slay

Police investigators are looking at three suspects in the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote, Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus said Wednesday.

Based on closed-circuit television footage recovered by the police, Corpus said that the three suspects were seen “withdrawing from the crime scene” on a motorcycle.

“Ito yung kasakaluyang pinagaaralan at ine-enhance with the help of the Anti-Cybercrime Group,” Corpus said.

Police are also narrowing down at least three possible motives in the killing of the local chief executive, including quarrying issues, Bote’s business ventures, and government projects as well as political issues.

Bote was in his car when he was repeatedly shot by the unidentified suspects at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday outside the office of National Irrigation Administration in Cabanatuan City.

Initially recovered from the crime scene were 18 spent .45 cartridges.

“Before the final autopsy was conducted, I was able to talk with the doctor conducting the autopsy at pinakita niya sa akin 'yung initial slugs recovered from the body of the victim,” Corpus said.

“Kasi meron pa siyang sinasabi sakin na about three to four slugs pa na nasa loob mismo ng katawan ng victim so we have to wait for the final document coming from the crime laboratory,” he added.

Corpus said they have not received any reports that the mayor received any death threats.

According to the investigators, Bote had gone to the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways before visiting the NIA compound.

“Meron siyang project na pinapa-follow up sa DPWH and project na fina-follow up sa National Irrigation Administration,” Corpus said.

The two police personnel assigned as Bote's security detail did not customarily accompany the mayor on his engagements, Corpus said.

“I was able to talk with the two police personnel na security detail niya at tinatanong ko nga kung bakit hindi sila sumama kay mayor and ang sagot naman ng dalawang pulis na ito na assigned sa kanya is most of the time ‘pag lumalabas talaga si mayor hindi naman niya sinasama itong mga security detail niya,” he said.

Bote's vice mayor Melvin Pascual, who took his oath of office as mayor on Wednesday morning, also said that it had not been Bote's habit to bring security along with him. —NB/BM, GMA News