Police pursuing three leads in Mayor Bote slay

Police are pursuing three possible leads that may point to the motive behind the killing of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote, GMA News' Bam Alegre reported on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

Investigators, however, were tight-lipped on these leads so as not to compromise the ongoing probe.

Bote was shot dead in front of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) office on Tuesday, a day after another mayor — Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas — was assassinated while attending the city hall's flag-raising ceremony.

Bote, who was on board his white SUV, was declared dead at the MV Gallego Cabanatuan General Hospital after he received multiple gunshot wounds in the head and chest, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.

Investigators found 18 bullet cases at the crime scene.

The report said Bote's family asked for private time for family and friends on the first day of his wake at Papaya Sports Center at General Tinio.

The mayor's family refused to give a statement but firmly insisted that the deceased official had no enemies.

Bote's wake will be open to the public on Thursday. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News