MANILA - Police have identified the man who allegedly hired gunmen to kill a town mayor in Nueva Ecija last week.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde confirmed this Thursday, a day after police arrested two suspects in the killing of Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio town.
The mayor was shot by unidentified gunmen on board a motorcycle on July 3 after coming from the National Irrigation Administration office in Cabanatuan City.
Police said initial investigation showed that Bote's killing was related to business.
His death came just a day after Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili was gunned down during a flag-raising ceremony in Batangas. Within the same week, on July 7, Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan of Trece Martires, Cavite was also killed.
More details to follow.
-- report from Henry Atuelan, ABS-CBN News