The leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday that the deaths of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, General Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote, and Trece Martires Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan “may be coincidental.”
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said: “These incidents may be coincidental. Wala tayong nakikitang pattern dito, iba ‘yong do’n sa Tanauan, iba ‘yong do’n sa Nueva Ecija.”
“Wala tayong nakitang relationship diyan or relation nitong nangyari sa Batangas at nitong nangyari sa Cavite at tsaka ‘yong nangyari sa Nueva Ecija,” he added.
According to Albayalde, the public can expect significant developments in the case of Bote’s murder after investigators removed politics as a possible motive.
However, the PNP chief refrained from divulging any additional information since investigation is still ongoing.
“In fact yung sa Nueva Ecija, we have good leads already, and in one week to until early next week, magkakaroon na tayo ng liwanag diyan dahil meron tayong lead na pinu-pursue ng ating CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group),” Albayalde said.
“Of all indications, ‘yung sa Nueva Ecija hindi politics ang lumalabas dito. By this week until next week magkakaroon ng liwanag ‘yan,” he added.
While policemen are looking at different angles, Albayalde said the killing of Lubigan appears to be related to local politics while Halili’s murder could be attributed to illegal drugs.
“The only common denominator na nakita natin… is they are elected officials,” he pointed out.
Albayalde also said theories that the killings of the local government executives could be linked to alleged destabilization plots against the Duterte administration remain unsubstantiated at this time.
“Wala naman. Wala tayong nakukuhang information on alleged destabilization, whatsoever,” he said.
“We have our own intelligence operatives also to look into that information. But as of this time, sabi ko nga wala tayong nakukuhang information that will lead to that information or confirmed that alleged destabilization plot,” he added. With reports from Kristine Macasiray, INQUIRER.net intern