PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde confirmed on Thursday, July 12, that investigators have already identified the mastermind behind the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote.

Albayalde said the primary motive was related to business deals of the slain mayor.

The police chief declined to divulge the identity of the mastermind since a manhunt against the suspect is still ongoing.

He said the suspect was identified by the two men who were arrested Wednesday morning in Camarines Sur.

Robert Gumacay and Florencio Suarez, alleged killers of Bote, were arrested by the police at a checkpoint along Andaya Highway, Barangay Cabasag del Gallego Camarines Sur at around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Bote was gunned down while onboard his car on July 3 in Cabanatuan City.

He was the second local government official killed in Luzon recently, after Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili was also felled by an assassin's bullet to the heart on July 2.

Albayalde said Gumacay and Suarez both admitted that they were paid to eliminate Bote. At least eight firearms were recovered from the suspects. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)