General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Bote's remains to be laid to rest

The remains of the late General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote will be laid to rest on Tuesday after a week of mourning by his family and supporters.

A report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita on Tuesday showed the final evening of the wake for Bote, whose killing was attributed to politics by police.

Bote's remains were transferred on Tuesday to Bethany Church in General Tinio for a brief program at 8 a.m. before the final rites and burial at a nearby cemetery.

His family requested for privacy before the ceremony and will give a statement after the funeral.

Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija will be buried today @gmanews pic.twitter.com/qS8S5VCMn5

— Bam Alegre (@BamAlegre_) July 9, 2018

Bote was shot dead on the afternoon of July 3 outside the office of the National Irrigation Administration in Cabanatuan City.

The mayor's death followed the assassination of Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili and precedes the killing of Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alex Lubigan last Saturday.

Police believe the fatal attacks on the officials were not connected, based on initial reports.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra meanwhile confirmed that he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into rumors that the killings were carried out to destabilize the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senators speculated that Duterte will not consider imposing martial law despite the spate of attacks on local officials. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News