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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider High-ranking cop tagged in village chief's murder

High-ranking cop tagged in village chief's murder

Published Nov 27, 2025 04:07 pm
BUCOL
BUCOL
DAVAO CITY – Lawmen are looking at three persons of interest, including a police lieutenant colonel, in the killing of Barangay Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur Chairman Oscar Bucol Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
Police Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete, chief of the Police Regional Office-11 (Davao), said that he has ordered the administrative relief of acting Digos City Police Station chief Police Lt. Col. Glenn Ipong effective Nov. 26.
Rosete issued the directive after learning that Ipong was among those tagged in the killing of Bucol. “This is to give way to a just, fair, and impartial investigation,” he added.
Ipong is now assigned to the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Office inside the PRO-11 headquarters in this city, Rosete said.
PRO-11 designated Police Lt. Col. Venus Ortuyo as acting Digos police chief.
Rosete said initial investigation showed that personal grudge could be the motive in the killing of Bucol.
Rosete cited the heated exchanges between Bucol and some individuals on social media prior to the incident.
Earlier this month, Bucol posted a video of him and Ipong apparently arguing on certain issues.
Rosete also said that a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been created to probe Bucol’s murder.
He added that the SITG will consolidate efforts, examine all angles, and fast-track the resolution of the case.
Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office chief Police Col. Leo Ajero said they are looking at several possible motives in the killing.
Ajero said they are reviewing Bucol’s social media posts. “May mga napost siya sa FB page nya na medyo maanghang na salita,” Ajero said. (He had FB posts that could have angered some individuals)
Bucol had criticized alleged anomalous projects that reportedly involved some local government officials in the province through his Facebook page.
Israelito Torreon, one of the legal counsels of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)-Laban, said the family has formally requested the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation.
“Your office's expertise in digital forensics, cyber-investigation, ballistic analysis, crime scene reconstruction, and examination of electronic communication trails is essential given the presence of livestream footage, online threats, and digital records surrounding the case,” Torreon wrote in a letter addressed to NBI officer-in-charge Angelito Magno on Nov. 26.
He added that the NBI 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.
Torreon appealed to Magno to immediately authorize the NBI-Davao region to lead the SITG.
“It’s not casting doubt to the PNP but we would like a separate but a parallel investigation,” Torreon said.
Bucol was streaming live on his Facebook page while talking to an elderly man who returned a lost wallet. When the first shot rang out, Bucol’s live stream was apparently interrupted.
A few seconds later, Bucol was seen running in front of the camera and was seen reaching for his right shoulder.
The live stream went on until Bucol slumped to the ground and pleaded for help from his companions. Bucol was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead from a bullet wound in the chest.
The reward for the arrest of the suspects in the killing of the village chief is now P3 million as Bucol's family also offered an additional P1 million on Thursday.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao del Sur Gov. Yvonne Cagas offered on Wednesday a P1-million reward each – a total of P2 million – for the arrest of the mastermind.

Related Tags

Digos City Murder Deaths Crime Barangay captain Oscar Bucol Jr.
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