THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is looking into the possibility that the Special Partisan Unit of the New People's Army was behind the killing of Senior Police Officer 4 Oscar Exaltado in Barangay Singcang-Airport over the weekend.

Chief Inspector Ariel Pico, public information officer of BCPO, said the perpetrators targeted Exaltado due to a personal motive.

“It’s maybe because of hatred or grudge,” he added.

But Pico said they cannot conclude anything yet because the investigation is still ongoing.

The BCPO believed that the incident was “well-planned” because of how the crime was committed.

They also do not discount the possibility that the perpetrators may be gun-for-hire.

As of now, we still cannot identify the assailants, Pico said.

Pico also said that there were reports that Exaltado was an alleged driver of a known drug group in Bacolod City, but such allegation is subject for validation.

Exaltado’s death was earlier linked to illegal drugs following derogatory reports about him on illegal drugs which the BCPO is still validating.

Authorities are still having difficulty in identifying the assailants behind the killing and establishing the motive. They are exploring all possible angles.

Police are closely checking on his previous work as a warrant server and as deputy chief of Police Station 6.

They are also checking his background and other activities which can lead them to establish the motive.

On January 25, Exaltado was on his way to work when he was ambushed by motorcycle-riding assailants.

He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body.

A Special Investigation Task Group Exaltado was already formed to focus probing the incident.