The Philippine National Police (PNP) condemned the killing of Negro Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in an ambush perpetrated by unidentified assailants in Pamplona town on Saturday morning, March 4.
“All available resources of the PNP will be used to arrest those who are involved in this incident. The PNP will not stop until these suspects are arrested,” Maranan said.
In a statement, Police Col. Redrico Maranan, chief of PNP public information office, said PNP chief Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. already directed the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) to conduct a hot pursuit operation to arrest the perpetrators and the mastermind behind the treacherous attack.
The PNP said that Degamo was shot dead by armed men wearing a “complete camouflage uniform, bulletproof vest, and carrying long firearms” at Brgy. San Isidro around 9:50 a.m.
Degamo was interacting with his constituents who are members of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) when the ambush happened.
“The PNP extremely condemns the shooting of Governor Roel R. Degamo of Negros Oriental,” Maranan said.
According to Maranan, the suspects opened fire “without hesitation” at the governor. At least five other civilians also reportedly died in the attack.
The suspects then escaped onboard two vehicles, a black Mitsubishi Montero with plate number YAP-163 and a silver-green Pajero without plate.
Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Central Visayas police regional office, said investigators were already reviewing closed circuit television (CCTV) footages which caught the incident.
“Pumasok doon sa residence nila na naka-pixelized uniform then immediately ‘yon ang ginawa nila, binarily si Governor (They entered residence while clad in pixelized uniform then they immediately shot the Governor),” Pelare said in a radio interview with dzBB.
“Currently, investigators are checking on the CCTVs and interviewing witnesses,” he added.
The ambush on Degamo is the fourth such attack on local executives in just 15 days.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. was injured in an ambush on Feb. 17 in Bukidnon but four of his security escorts were killed. On Feb. 19, Aparri, Cagayan Mayor Rommel Alameda died along with five other companions in an ambush in Bagabag, Nueva Ecija. On Feb. 22, Datu Montawal, Maguindanao Mayor Ohto Montawal was hurt in an ambush in Pasay City.