BRAZEN ATTACK | Authorities vow deeper probe into Degamo’s killing in Negros Oriental

March 6, 2023 , 12:04 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(March 6, 2023) – Law enforcers vowed to continue their hot pursuit operations and investigation to identify the motive of the suspects behind the brutal killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight other individuals.

Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Special Investigation Task Group (PNP-SITG), said they are looking at all possible angles, including politics, to ensure a comprehensive probe into the brazen attack.

“The SITG is still conducting a thorough investigation. All angles are being looked upon. As of yet, we do not have a definite motive, but if we have developments, we are going to share it as soon as possible,” said Pelare on One News Now.

Last Saturday, Degamo sustained fatal wounds after gunmen stormed his residence in Barangay San Isidro in Pamplona. CCTV footage of the killing showed that the suspects wore military uniforms and bulletproof vests.

Aside from nine fatalities, Pelare said 13 other individuals had major injuries while four others had minor wounds. Degamo was pronounced dead at a hospital in Dumaguete.

Pelare said one of the suspects died in an armed encounter with the PNP and the Philippine Army on the same night of the assassination. At least four other suspects—Joven Aber, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, and Osmundo Rivero—have already been taken to police custody, where they faced interrogation.

Media reports said the arrested suspects were former government soldiers. At least three of them were allegedly dishonorably discharged because, according to Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, “they did not meet the standards of discipline.”

“We have recovered assault rifles used during the shooting incident. Our operatives are still ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects,” said Pelare.

President Bongbong Marcos Jr., who was supported by Degamo, earlier warned the suspects that “you can run, but you can’t hide.”

In a media release, the Philippine Army said it retrieved seven assault rifles, four long magazines, two short magazines, one .45 caliber magazine, two B40 with ammunition, six bandoliers, one rifle case, two combat uniforms, one grey sweatshirt, and three pairs of combat boots.

“The army leadership commends the swift action of the combined elements of the 3ID (Third Infantry Division) and their PNP counterparts in recovering the said items and apprehending the suspects,” said Trinidad.

Last month, the Supreme Court affirmed an earlier decision by the Commission on Elections that proclaimed Degamo as the governor of Negros Oriental after the votes of a nuisance candidate, Ruel Degamo, were counted in his favor.

Sen. Joel Villanueva filed a resolution to condemn the killings and all acts of violence following the string of impetuous attacks against local officials.

“Injustice and violence do not have a place in any civilized society, and no cause justifies such brutalities against the lives of all persons,” read the resolution.

(PM)

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