The family of Barangay Tres de Mayo chairman Oscar Bucol, Jr. of Digos City, Davao del Sur, who was shot dead while he was live on Facebook evening on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to lead the investigation into the incident.

In a letter addressed to Atty. Angelito Magno, officer-in-charge of the NBI, the family, through their legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, requested the NBI to conduct a parallel investigation into the killing of Bucol.

The family asked the NBI to authorize NBI-Davao to either take the lead in the operations of the special investigation task group (SITG) or start a parallel probe if no SITG exists.

“Allowing the NBI to lead existing SITG or to conduct a separate investigation if no SITG exists, will significantly strengthen the credibility and thoroughness of the fact-finding process, minimize investigative blind spots, and reassure the public that the pursuit of justice is free from local pressure or interference,” the letter reads.

The Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) earlier said an SITG has been formed to investigate the incident.

“We have already created Special Investigation Task Group composed by the members of the Provincial Staff ng ating PPO,” PRO-11 Director, Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, said.

Rosete has already ordered the relief of Lt. Col. Peter Glenn Ipong, acting chief of Digos City Police Station to ensure an impartial and unhampered investigation.

The family also requested the NBI to conduct forensic, ballistic, and cyber examination of all digital evidence.

Torreon said in the letter that the family is willing to cooperate with NBI and police authorities and is prepared to provide sworn statements, communication records, screenshots of threats, and other relevant materials that could help uncover the truth.

“The family firmly believes that the involvement of the NBI will best ensure impartiality, objectivity, and independence, especially considering that possible motives may involve elements of individuals holding influence within the locality,” the letter said.

“We remain hopeful that with the NBI’s involvement, whether by leading the SITG or through an independent investigation, justice for Kapitan Bucol will be achieved, and that the perpetrators, including any masterminds behind this heinous crime, will be held fully accountable under the law,” it added.

The family said that in the days prior to the incident, Bucol had disclosed in public the death threats he received.

Bucol was known to be vocal on social media about the alleged irregularities and anomalies in government projects in the province.

“His openness about his criticisms, coupled with his commitment to expose wrongdoing, has raised concerns that his killing may be linked to political or institutional motives,” the letter said.