Three suspects in murder of Negros Oriental governor arrested in hot pursuit
BACOLOD CITY – Police arrested three persons, including two former soldiers, in pursuit operations at Sitio Punong, Barangay Cansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental around 4:20 p.m., Saturday, March 4, following a shooting incident that killed governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental at his residence in Pamplona town earlier today.
Based on a police report, the suspects were identified as Joric Labrador, 50, of Cagayan De Oro, a former Army soldier; Joven Aber, 42, of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental, a former Army ranger; and Benjie Rodriguez, 45, a native of Mindanao.
Lt. Col. Kym Lopez, spokesperson of Negros Oriental police, said they are waiting for the final report from the Bayawan City Police Station to discuss specific details on the apprehension.
Their arrest came after three get-away vehicles of the suspects - a Mitsubishi Pajero, a green Isuzu pick-up truck, and a black Mitsubishi Montero -- were found abandoned in Barangay Cansumalig, several hours after the gun attack happened.
Lopez said that all police stations in the province were directed to conduct checkpoint operations. He added that dragnet operations are also ongoing.
The police refused to say the motive in the killing or possible angles as the investigation is still ongoing.