The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the killing of Dinagat Islands provincial board member Wenefredo Olofernes.
In Department Order 347, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra directed the NBI to conduct a fact-finding probe and case build-up on the incident and “if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate charges against persons found responsible thereof.”
Guevarra also ordered NBI Director Dante Gierran to submit progress reports on the investigation.
Olofernes was shot dead by unidentified assailants last Sunday in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Police investigators said they were not ruling out politics as possible motive for the killing.
They said the 52-year-old elected official could have known his assailants because he greeted them when their motorcycle drove past his motorbike before he was shot, according to his partner Olive, who suffered bruises when she fell off the motorcycle.
Olofernes, who ran as an independent, was serving his second term.
He also served for three terms as councilor of Basilisa town.
The Caraga regional police office has put up a reward of P100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the assailants.
On Monday, Malacañang urged the police to speed up its investigation of what it described as the “senseless” murder of Olofernes.
In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in charge for regional development for the Caraga region, condemned the killing and said “We’ve been assured that this is an isolated occurrence.”
Sources said Olofernes, the top board member of Dinagat Islands, had just had his morning exercise and was heading home on his motorcycle at 9:18 a.m. on Sunday when two men on another motorcycle shot him along Kilometer 2 at Barangay Luna in Surigao City.
Meanwhile, Dinagat Gov. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao ordered a no-nonsense investigation into the assassination.
“I, together with the provincial government and each and every Dinagatnon, call for justice. We will ensure the speedy resolution of this criminal act along with the prosecution and conviction of all those involved in the death of Board Member Wenefredo Olofernes,” she said.
Olofernes was rushed to the Caraga Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.