By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police acting chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Thursday ordered an aggressive manhunt to track down and arrest the suspects behind the killing of a barangay captain in Digos City, Davao del Sur, while he was on Facebook live.
Nartatez noted that investigators have identified several persons of interest based on statements and names previously mentioned by victim Barangay Tres de Mayo Captain Oscar “Dodong” Bucol Jr. in his social media posts.
Nartatez said he has directed all police units in Davao del Sur and nearby provinces to mobilize tracker teams, conduct follow-up operations, and work closely with local authorities to ensure the immediate capture of those responsible.
Bucol was shot dead by unidentified suspects around 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 25. The incident was caught on the victim’s Facebook live video which was streaming on his social media account.
“We are committed to bringing justice to the victim and his family. I have ordered our operatives to pursue every lead and exhaust all means to locate and arrest those responsible,” Nartatez said, adding this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that all violent incidents targeting local officials are resolved without delay.
A P2 million reward for information leading to the suspects’ arrest is being offered.
As operations continue, Nartatez called on residents to immediately report any useful information and assured them that police forces have tightened security measures across the city to prevent further incidents.
