CIDG set to charge suspects in mayor’s slay

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — The provincial Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National police (PNP) in Camarines Sur said it will focus on filing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against the two suspects in the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote.

According to Chief Insp. Ronnie Fabia, CIDG Camarines Sur head, they have no evidence to pursue against suspects Florencio Suarez and Robert Gumacay in the killing of Bote on July 3.

Suarez and Gumacay were arrested at a police checkpoint in Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur several days after the killing.

“It’s up to PNP Region 3 to pursue the case of the two suspects on the killing of Mayor Bote,” Fabia said.

Suarez was driving a beige Toyota Avanza with Gumacay as the passenger. Police said both suspects were in the vehicle with license plate PGQ 134 that allegedly matched the description of the getaway car used by the gunmen in the killing of Bote.

Lawmen recovered four .45 caliber pistols, a 9mm handgun, a .22 magnum handgun, two black suppressors, bullet proof vests, magazines, ammunitions for various calibers, gun paraphernalia, including two hand grenades and two rifle grenades, inside the vehicle.