”Napapadalas na ah (It's becoming commonplace). Enough is enough!"
Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. had this to say Saturday, March 4, of the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
Degamo and his aides were shot inside the governor's residence this morning.
The assassination came just weeks after the attempted assassination of Lanao Del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. and the murder of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda.
The senator from Cavite condemned this most recent act of lawlessness while chastising authorities for the recent spate of violence against the country's public servants.
"Kailangan ba nating paulit-ulit kondenahin ang ganito at ipaalala sa ating mga law enforcers na wala itong lugar sa ating lipunan? (Shall we always condemn such acts and remind our law enforcers that this has no place in our society?),” Revilla asked.
"What are they doing? They must put to stop lip-service and instead make sure they put an end to this kind of lawlessness. Parang pinaglalaruan na lang sila ng mga kriminal kasi (As if criminals are toying with our law enforcers) “ an obviously exasperated Revilla lamented.
"Sa loob pa mismo ng kanyang tahanan! (And it happened inside his residence?). Ganito na ba tayo? (Is this what we are?). Heads must roll!" he demanded.
The lawmaker explained that this violence is not merely an act against the persons who were targetted but also an attack against the people who elected them in office and against democracy itself.
"Hindi dapat hayaan ang ganitong mga atake sa demokrasya (These kinds of attack against our democracy must not be allowed),” he stressed.
Revilla meanwhile extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Governor Degamo and the people of Negros Oriental.
He vowed to closely monitor the investigation of the case and to help in bringing those responsible to justice.