Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte has offered a P1-million reward for people who can provide solid evidence and testify against the gunman and the mastermind in the killing of Barangay Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur Captain Oscar Bucol Jr.
Duterte’s legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, who is also the lawyer of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)-Laban, announced the reward on Thursday night, Nov. 27, in his official Facebook page.
Torreon said Duterte’s contribution aims to help secure justice for Bucol’s family.
Duterte’s offer brings the total reward to P3 million, following earlier announcements from his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Davao del Sur Gov. Yvonne Cagas.
Vice President Duterte and Cagas each pledged P1 million on Wednesday, Nov. 26, for information leading to the arrest of the person who ordered the attack against Bucol, a member of the PDP-Laban and a known supporter of the Dutertes.
Bucol was shot dead inside his home on Tuesday evening while he was livestreaming on Facebook.
The victim was speaking with an elderly man who returned a lost wallet when a gunshot was heard, abruptly disrupting the stream.
Moments later, Bucol appeared on camera, running and clutching his shoulder.
The livestream continued to record as he collapsed and called for help from people nearby. He was taken to a hospital but was declared dead due to a bullet wound to the chest.
Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office chief Police Col. Leo Ajero said investigators are looking into multiple possible motives. He noted that authorities are reviewing Bucol’s social media activity, including posts where he intensely criticized certain local officials.
Mayor Duterte’s decision to add another P1 million to the reward pool seeks to encourage witnesses to come forward and assist authorities in identifying those responsible, Torreon said, adding that the mayor hopes the effort will lead to justice for Bucol’s family.