TRES de Mayo Barangay Chairman Oscar “Dodong” Bucol Jr. had hoped to meet with Vice President Sara Duterte days before he was shot dead while streaming on Facebook Live, his family’s lawyer said.
Atty. Israelito Torreon said Bucol of Digos City, Davao del Sur, had repeatedly asked for help in arranging a meeting with the vice president or, alternatively, with Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
“He relayed to me his utmost request to have an audience with Vice President Sara Duterte or, in the alternative, Mayor Baste Duterte,” Torreon said.
According to the lawyer, Bucol was not fearful but had grown increasingly concerned about threats to his safety, which may have prompted him to seek the meeting.
Bucol was killed on November 25, a day before the planned appointment.
Torreon said the family will request a National Bureau of Investigation probe to run parallel to the police investigation. “It’s not casting doubt on the PNP, but we would like a separate or parallel investigation,” he said.
The reward for information identifying Bucol’s killer has risen to P2 million: P1 million from the vice president and another P1 million from Davao del Sur Gov. Yvonne Cagas.
Police have yet to identify suspects or determine a motive. Investigators continue to review video evidence and interview witnesses.
