Suspect in killing of Bote arrested

MANILA — Police have arrested one of the suspects in the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote.

Bicol region's top cop Chief Superintendent Arnel Escobal confirmed the arrest of Florencio Suarez in a radio interview on dzMM.

Suarez is now in police custody after he was captured in a checkpoint in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur Wednesday morning.

Escobal said a follow-up operation is underway to arrest the other suspect in the slay of Bote.

Bote was laid to rest Tuesday, a week after he was gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants just after leaving the National Irrigation Administration office in Cabanatuan City.

Police investigators said the possible motives in the murder of Bote are issues with quarrying in the town and some parts of the province, the family's other business ventures, and local politics.