Senators have signed a proposed resolution that strongly condemn the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo who was killed in broad daylight along with five others last Saturday morning (March 4), by still unidentified men. 

According to Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, those who signed the measure includes him, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Rufino “Raffy” Tulfo, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Mark Villar and Christopher "Bong" Go.

Villanueva said the draft resolution would be formally filed at the Senate on Monday, March 6.

“Injustice and violence do not have a place in any civilized society and no cause justifies such brutalities against the lives of all persons,” the senators said in the draft resolution.

The resolution also urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to exert all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice for the sake of all victims and their families.

The measure also calls on the PNP and law enforcers “to undertake the necessary steps in ensuring the safety of all to address the rampant violence and killings, including, prompt and impartial and efficient investigation and prosecution of the cases.”

Poe, in a separate statement, said the spate of reprehensible attacks against local officials and civilians must be thwarted.

“The gangland-style shooting incidents executed in broad daylight are etching fears on our people about how easily lives can be taken even of people who are in power,” Poe stressed.

“We call on the police and other law enforcement agencies to wield their authority against these criminals who undermine the peace and order in our country,” she said.

“Authorities must act quick before the next target falls, and to assure our people that the open season for killings will not come upon us,” added the lawmaker.

In a separate statement, Go said he deeply condoles with the family of the governor, a loyal ally during the Duterte administration and a reliable partner in public service.

“I call on our authorities to pursue and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly and cowardly act which also harmed innocent civilians. Justice must be served for the family and the people of Negros Oriental. There is no place for this kind of violence in a democracy such as ours,” Go said.

“Mariin kong kinokondena ang pagpatay kay Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo sa loob ng kanyang pamamahay nitong Sabado ng umaga, March 4. Ikinalulungkot ko ito at nakikiramay ako kay Mayora Janice, sa kanilang dalawang anak at sa buong pamilya ng aking kaibigang si Gov. Degamo (I strongly condemn the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo inside his residence on Saturday morning, March 4. I am sorry for this and I sympathize with Mayora Janice, their two children and the entire family of my friend Gov. Degamo),” Sen. Imee Marcos also said in a separate statement.

“Makakasama ko pa sana sya sa isasagawang AICS payout namin sa March 29. Matagal kong naging kaibigan at kapwa gobernador si Roel (I would have been able to join him in our AICS payout on March 29. Roel has been my friend and fellow governor for a long time),” she said, referring to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations on which the late governor has been actively participating.

“Sabay kaming nagsulong ng localized peace talks kay Presidente Duterte, at kung ako ay nanindigan sa agrikultura, sya nama'y ipinaglaban ang mga mangingisda (At the same time, we promoted localized peace talks with President Duterte, and if I stood up for agriculture, he fought for the fishermen),” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s sister said.

“Alam ko ang hirap niyang pinagdaanan nitong nakaraang eleksyon (I know the hardships he went through in the last election),” she also said.

Marcos, likewise, called on authorities to expedite the resolution of the case and to hunt down the perpetrators of the crime.

Huwag sana natin hayaang maging mitsa ito sa ating kapayapaan bilang bansang naguumpisa pa lamang bumangon mula sa pandemya (Let's not let this become a wick to our peace as a country that is just beginning to rise from the pandemic),” she said.

“Sobrang sakit itong sunod- sunod na pagkawala ng mga kaibigan at mabubuting opisyal. Tuldukan na agad itong bagong karahasan sa ating bansa nang hindi maghari ang takot at ligalig (It is very painful to lose friends and good officers one after another. Stop this new violence in our country immediately without reigning in fear and unrest),” the President’s sister added.