- GILBERT BAYORAN
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo was assassinated this morning, March 4, by a group of armed men clad in Philippine Navy and Army uniforms, at the entrance of his residence, in Brgy. San Isidro, Pamplona town in the province.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, wife of the slain governor, said that her husband was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m., more than two hours after the shooting incident.
The mayor added that five others, who were asking help from her husband, also died.
“Gov. Degamo does not deserve this kind of death,” the mayor stressed, as she called on the national government to give justice to the killing of her husband.
Mayor Degamo said that her husband was serving his constituents on a Saturday, along with his department heads, when the assassination in broad daylight took place.
“Give the justice he deserved,” she called on authorities.
Initial reports received by the Police Regional Office 7 disclosed that Degamo was entertaining some 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries, at his residence when a group of about six individuals, in full battle gear, arrived and opened fire, at the governor, hitting him and several other civilians.
Degamo and several other injured persons were rushed to the different hospitals in Dumaguete City, but the governor later died.
The Police Regional Office 7 reported that there were nine other victims of the shooting incident.
In a statement, the PRO7 disclosed that a Regional Special Investigation Task Group was established, for a focused, thorough, and swift investigation in connection with the killing of the governor.
The PRO7 also reported that the armed suspects fled on board a Mitsubishi Pajero, with plate number NQZ 735, a green Isuzu pick up with plate number GRY 162, and a black Mitsubishi Montero with plate number YAP 163.
The vehicles were later discovered to have been abandoned in Brgy. Kansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, while about 10 suspects were seen fleeing from the scene, initial reports of PRO 7 showed.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos has condemned, in strongest possible terms, the senseless assassination of Degamo.
Abalos said he already ordered the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office and police units in neighboring provinces, to conduct pursuit operations, and to immediately arrest the shooters.
The DILG chief said that he will not stop until the killing of Degamo is resolved, as well as other related killings, in the past several days.
“We will quickly get to the bottom of this,” Abalos said, as he urged witnesses to extend help to the PNP, in order to give justice to the family of Gov. Degamo.
NEGROS OCC OFFICIALS CONDEMN SLAY
Negros Occidental officials also condemned in strongest possible terms the brutal murder of Degamo.
“We need to put a stop to violent crimes such as this, and I earnestly hope that justice will prevail. Our people and government officials deserve to live in peace, and should be able to live free from fear,” Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez said that violence has no place in Negros Island. “I join the call to bring to justice the individuals who committed this despicable act, as I pray for peace in the Negros Island,” Benitez said./GB
