MANILA – Police have identified an alleged dispute over a government project as a motive in the murder of Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija.
Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus, Police Regional Office 3 director, told reporters Monday that they have identified the suspected mastermind as a government contractor.
Christian Saquilabon was allegedly an “aggrieved” party in the implementation of the P96-million development of the Minalungao Convergence Park Zone, a popular tourist destination in General Tinio – police said.
The family of Bote was also said to be in the construction business.
Corpus said the leadership of the local Iglesia ni Cristo church closely coordinated with the police in identifying the persons, who used a vehicle seen in a security camera footage entering an Iglesia compound shortly after the murder.
“They (Iglesia) emphasized that they do not condone such acts,” Corpus said, adding that one of the suspects live close to the Iglesia chapel.
Chief Superintendent Roel Obusan, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said they will formalize indictments on Tuesday and will seek from the Bureau of Immigration a hold departure order against other suspects still at large.
Two of the suspects, Florencio Suarez and Roberto Gumatay, were arrested last week on board a beige-colored Toyota Avanza, the getaway car used in the crime, on Andaya Highway in Camarines Sur.
Seized from them were .45 pistols, a Colt and an Amrscor Hi-Cap, which police said was used in Bote’s murder.
Corpus said the suspected gunmen were paid P25,000 for the murder of Bote. (PNA)
