Suspect confesses, says he was hired to kill Bote —PNP

One of the suspects arrested for the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote has confessed to being the gunman, but said that he was only hired to carry out the shooting.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Thursday said that the mastermind behind the assassination is now a subject of a manhunt.

On Wednesday, police arrested two suspects identified as Florencio Suarez, 48, and Robert Gumacay, 35, who were nabbed around 9:30 a.m. in a checkpoint along Andaya Highway in Barangay Cabasag, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur.

"Yung isa doon nag-confess na na siya ang shooter. And even the other one, although hindi siya assisted by a counsel. Yung isa si Suarez. Si Gumatay admitted in front of a counsel," Albayalde said.

"[Si Suarez] kasama siya, isa rin siya sa mga pumutok. Si Gumatay kasi nagconfess na siya na siya ang pumutok," he added.

Asked if Gumatay confessed to being a gun for hire, Albayalde answered "Yes, yung ang sinasabi niya."

"That's why yung binanggit niyang tao, which we cannot name right now, is a subject of a manhunt. He's now a person of interest," he added.

Bote was shot dead on July 3 in Cabanatuan City. He was laid to rest Tuesday, July 10.

The second mayor to be killed in one week, Bote was repeatedly shot with a short firearm by motorcycle-riding suspects outside the office of National Irrigation Administration. —Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News