By Alexandria Dennise San Juan  Two rivals gunning for the mayoral post in Quezon City have opposing claims on the motive behind the killing of Barangay Bagong Silangan and congressional bet Crisell Beltran, who was ambushed by four motorcycle-riding gunmen on Wednesday. Quezon City 1st District Representative Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo, who will be running for mayor under the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban), said that the motive was "definitely political." Members of the QCPD Scene Of the Crime Operations examine the crime scene where Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City chairwoman Crisell Beltran was gunned down by four unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants Wednesday along J.P. Rizal St. in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Beltran was riding with 2 cohorts and 2 minors inside a Ford Everest when the incident took place Jan. 30, 2019. Beltran was pronounced dead on arrival at the FEU Medical Center along with one of her cohorts. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN) "Definitely it is political. Kahit anong sabihin nila, there is no way that it is not political. Somebody is trying to cover (it) up," he said in a chance interview at the Quezon City Police District headquarters in Camp Karingal on Thursday. He added that Beltran, who was supposed to run as 2nd district representative under his slate, was a strong contender and very popular among residents. Threats in politics Crisologo also bared that Beltran had received numerous threats, "pressuring" her not to run in the upcoming midterm election. "Nung kausap niya kami, sinabi niya sa amin. Siyempre sino pa? Pinapaatras siya. Verbal and may text messages rin," Crisologo said when asked if Beltran has shared with him if she has received death threats. The congressman added that, at some point, Beltran said she was already inclined to withdraw her candidacy due to "pressure." According to Crisologo, he went to the Quezon City Police chief to discuss the case and to relay other key information needed in the probe. The other party Meanwhile, Crisologo's rival, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is seeking the mayoral post under the Serbisyo sa Bayan Party (SBP), claimed that the police was already ruling out politics as motive behind the killing. "Ang huli kong pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila ay mukhang nirurule-out na ang political motivation na unang nabanggit," Belmonte said in a council session at the Quezon City Hall also on Wednesday. Belmonte added that the incident was "election-related" and not "politically-motivated" as this happened during the election period. When asked for reaction regarding Crisologo's claim that it was about politics, Belmonte said it was best to wait the result on the investigation of the police. "That is his interpretation. It serves, I suppose, him a purpose. But I said, best to wait for the investigation of the police. The police will have the appropriate facts for us to base our conclusions," she answered. "We are not in any position to make any conclusion or any kind of suggestion or insinuations until such time that this is backed up by evidence." The vice mayor added that City Council is reserving its judgment as to the motive of the killing pending the investigation of the police. "Wala kaming paghatol. Gusto lang namin ay malaman ang katotohanan: sino ang gumawa? Sini ang mastermind? Bakit ginawa?," she said. Motives on the killing In a press conference in Camp Karingal on the update of Beltran's case, Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., QCPD director, clarified that they were not ruling out politics as one of the motives. In fact, Esquivel bared they were looking into three other angles behind the ambush aside from politics which includes any disagreement in her mortuary business; any dispute with informal settlers in her barangay; and possibility of a love angle. "Yung atin namang SITG (special investigation task group) comprehensive yung coverage natin. The very nature nung trabaho ni Kapitana, dahil chairwoman siya, notwithstanding the fact na she is running for a congressional seat, by procedure of the SITG, we are looking on the political angle," Esquivel said. He added that while they are investigating the four possible motives, they are now looking into six persons of interest. According to Esquivel, while the possibility of a politically-motivated ambush was present, there was still no evidence yet that would point that it was all about politics. However, for Crisologo, other motives were just meant to divert from the real issue. He also alleged the reward being offered by the Quezon City council was just "hypocrisy" and a cover-up for them to be not suspected. Bounty reward raised to P5 million In an emergency session by the Quezon City Council on Wednesday afternoon, Belmonte said they have raised the cash reward from P3 million to P5 million. The bounty will be given to those who could give information on the identity or whereabouts of the assailants behind Beltran's killing. QCPD director also released a facial composite illustration of one of the active shooter as described by the witness. Esquivel said the gunman took off his helmet to reload his gun before shooting again Beltran as stated by the witness. Further investigation also showed that there were at least six men riding on three motorcycles behind the incident wherein two serve as lookouts, two as bikers, and the backriders as gunmen. The QCPD chief called on the public to relay to the police force any information about the gunman and his cohorts. "For you , better surrender to me within 24 hours. If not, we will see what will happen," he warned. Beltran was attacked by the assailants while onboard her SUV together with her driver Melchor Salita, and four other companions at JP Rizal Street in Barangay Bagong Silangan on Wednesday morning. The chairwoman and Salita were rushed to hospital but were declared dead on arrival, while their other companions were unharmed, police said. A 14-year-old boy, meanwhile, was wounded after he was hit by a stray bullet on his knee.