Business rival named as Bote killing mastermind
THE
Philippine National Police (PNP) named on Monday, July 16, a businessman based in Nueva Ecija province as the alleged mastermind in the killing of General Tinio town Mayor Ferdinand Bote.
Christian Saquilabon, whose company won the contract that Bote's company was also eyeing, allegedly paid the gunmen P25,000 to eliminate Bote, said Police regional office (PRO) 3 director Chief Superintendent Amador Corpus.
Police Director Roel Obusan, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief, said they will file charges against Saquilabon, three other suspects and three more John Does not later than Tuesday, July 17.
Bote was gunned down in front of the National Irrigation Administration office in Cabanatuan City on July 3.
The police immediately formed the Special Investigation Task Group Bote for the investigation of the incident.
Corpus said during the investigation, they were able to identify one of the suspects—Jun Fajardo as well as the vehicle, a beige Toyota Avanza used by the gunmen to escape the scene.
He said they also obtained a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage which played a vital role in the investigation.
On Wednesday, July 11, Robert Gumacay and Florencio Suarez were arrested by the police at a checkpoint along Andaya Highway, Barangay Cabasag del Gallego Camarines Sur at around 9:30 a.m.
They were onboard the said beige Toyota Avanza.
Corpus said Gumacay and Suarez both admitted playing the role of a gunman in Bote’s killing.
“Sinabi ni Florencio tinawagan siya a week or two weeks before tumawag sakanya si Christian may problema daw. Kaya lumuwas siya ng Nueva Ecija coming from Masbate,” he said.
Recovered from them were a caliber 45 colt pistol and a caliber 45 hi-cap armscor pistol.
Amador said based on ballistic examination, the 18 empty shells which were recovered from the crime scene matched with the two firearms which will make the cases to be filed against the suspects solid.
He said it was through Suarez and Gumatay that they were able to identify three more suspects.
Corpus said that based on the statement of the suspects under custody, the main motive of the killing is associated with “projects, business and contracts” as Saquilabon and Bote were both contractors in the said province.
He said Saquilabon got the P96 million worth contract for the Tourism Convergence Zone project in Minalungao in General Tinio.
Bote’s company also joined the bidding, but lost to Saquilabon. Bote allegedly gave Saquilabon’s company a hard time in getting the necessary permits.
“Ang statement
ni Christian (kay Suarez) ginigipit sila ni Mayor sa project sa Minalungao,” he said.