By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, yesterday confirmed investigators are now eyeing three possible motives behind the murder of Escalante City Councilor Bernardino Patigas.

Baleros, who attended the Provincial Joint Security Control Center Command Conference at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol, said illegal gambling is among the motives they are probing.

The NOPPO chief explained the motorcycle used by Patigas was allegedly owned by an illegal gambling operator.

Other possible motives include personal grudges and Patigas’ candidacy in next month’s midterm elections.

Baleros added, the murder is being considered “election-related.”

Last Monday, Patigas was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman in front of Escalante City National High School.

Prior to being elected city councilor in 2016, Patigas served as secretary for the Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates./DGB, WDJ