By Gabriela Baron
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday, March 4, condemned the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
According to authorities, Degamo was attacked at his residence in Barangay San Isidro, Pamplona.
READ MORE: Negros Oriental guv slain in ambush
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Western Visayas said Degamo was talking to some Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in front of his house when a group of armed men clad in Army and Navy uniforms in full battle gear peppered him with bullets.
The suspects were onboard two sports utility vehicles (SUV).
Abalos said he already gave a directive to the PNP to conduct hot pursuit operations to immediately catch the suspects.
“Naka-deploy na ang mga puwersa ng Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office pati na ang mga kapulisan sa karatig na probinsya para galugarin ang bawat sulok ng lugar para agad na madakip ang mga kriminal,” Abalos continued.
“Asahan ninyo na hindi kami titigil hanggang hindi nareresolba ang kasong ito gayundin ang iba pang insidente ng pananambang na nangyari sa mga nakalipas na araw. We will quickly get to the bottom of this,” he added.
Abalos also appealed to the witnesses who were at the scene of the incident to provide relevant information and coordinate with the PNP. -cf