Cops face probe over Digos village chief murder

National

AUTHORITIES have launched an intensified investigation into the fatal shooting of Oscar “Dodong” Bucol Jr., village chief (barangay captain) of Barangay Tres de Mayo in Digos City.

The victim was gunned down while livestreaming on social media last Tuesday night, Nov. 25. Bucol was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.

In response, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a nationwide manhunt to track down the perpetrators.

To help unmask those responsible, authorities and provincial officials have offered a reward. Initially set at P2 million, the bounty was raised to P4 million as the investigation deepens.

Meanwhile, the acting police chief was relieved of his post to ensure an impartial investigation. The case has been assigned to a newly formed Special Investigation Task Group under the provincial police office.

The chief of police of Digos and 21 intelligence officers will be subjected to a paraffin test to determine whether they fired their service firearms on the day the crime happened.

Local and regional authorities are calling for public cooperation, urging anyone with information to come forward.

All leads — including persons mentioned in Bucol’s prior livestreams and social media posts — will be thoroughly pursued, police said.(Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)