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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Top-level task force created to solve Degamo killing

Top-level task force created to solve Degamo killing

Published Mar 11, 2023 12:43 pm
The national government has created a top-level special investigation group to expedite the solution of the brazen assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos was designated as the chairperson of the Special Task Force Degamo (STF Degamo), with top officials from the other government and law enforcement agencies as members. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, presides the meeting of representatives from various law enforcement agencies after he was named as the chairperson of the Special Task Force Degamo, a top-level task force to expedite the solution of the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. (photo: PNP) Designated as vice chairpersons were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez. Named task group commanders were PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino and Nationa Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Medardo de Lemos.  The creation of the STF Degamo, according to the PNP, is to resolve in the soonest possible time the ongoing investigation being conducted related to the killing of Degamo and other victims in Negros Oriental. “Pursuant to the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, the whole of the government approach has been established in dealing with and suppressing all forms of lawless violence in Negros Oriental,” the PNP statement read.  At least eight other people died when the gunmen opened fire at the location of Degamo on March 4 in a compound adjacent to his house in Pamplona town. Police said at least 16 others were also wounded. The creation of the STG was also meant to address the pressing peace and security issues in Negros Oriental. Azurin earlier ordered the deployment of more personnel from the PNP’s elite Special Action Force to Negros Oriental.  On Friday, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided houses and properties linked to a politician in Negros Oriental but Abalos said the implementation of the search warrant was in connection with the 2019 killings in the province. Police are yet to disclose the motive and the name of the mastermind.  Several guns and bullets were seized during the search warrant implementation.  “Through the creation of the task force, the military and other law enforcement agencies will augment the PNP to keep the peace and order within the province,” the PNP statement read. “While the SITG (Special Investigation Task Group)  Degamo itself is tasked to investigate and prepare airtight cases for purposes of criminal prosecution against all personalities involved in the gruesome attack,” it added. The SITG Degamo was created by the PNP. “The STF DEGAMO is doing all that it has to take to come into a complete closure of this heinous attack against Governor Degamo and other victims in Negros Oriental,” the PNP statement read.
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