General Tinio vice mayor succeeds slain mayor Bote

Vice Mayor Melvin Pascual has officially taken over as mayor of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija following the assassination of Mayor Ferdinand Bote Tuesday afternoon in Cabanatuan City.

In an interview on GMA News' Quick Response Team, Pascual said he formally took his oath on Wednesday morning after being advised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Pascual said he has been talking with the local police for updates, but that he has not yet met with the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Pascual also said that he plans to coordinate with his counterparts in neighboring towns to help with the investigation into the slain mayor's death.

"Sa mga susunod na araw po siguro, makikipag-ugnayan ako sa aming mga karatig na mayor sa pangyayaring ito," Pascual said.

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

As of Wednesday, police investigators are looking at three suspects and are considering three motives in the shooting.

“Based on the recovered CCTV footage, meron po kaming tatlong suspects na nakita withdrawing from the crime scene on board the motorcycle," Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus said.

Pascual said that it had not been Bote's habit to bring security along with him. He also said that he has not requested additional security for himself, because their town is peaceful.

Extending his condolences, the town's new mayor expressed hope that his slain colleague's killers will be brought to justice.

"Ako po [at mga] empleyado ng munisipyo ay nakikiisa sa pagpanaw ng ating mabuting Mayor Ferdinand Bote. Ang sigaw po namin ay mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanyang pagkawala," Pascual said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has instructed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate both Bote's murder and that of Tanauan City, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News