By JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
NEGROS ORIENTAL – Operatives of the Philippine National Police in this province arrested three of the six suspects who killed Governor Roel Degamo and five of his bodyguards yesterday (March 4) inside his residence in Barangay Isidro, Pamplona town.
Police investigators identified the three suspects as Joven Aber, 42; Joric Labrador, 50; and Benjie Rodriguez, 45 – all former soldiers, reports said. They were arrested by the elements of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) at around 4:25 p.m., roughly about seven hours after the killing of the governor and his men.
The local police operatives seized three identification cards of the suspects, ammos and a .45 caliber pistol. The suspects, authorities reported, were cornered in Barangay Cansumalig in Bayawan City.
“The hot pursuit operations are still ongoing with the remaining suspects being pursued by joint elements of the PRO-7 and Philippine Army,” the police official said in his statement sent to the media on Saturday.
CONDEMNED
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos has condemned the ambush of Negros Oriental Governor
Roel Degamo which had caused his untimely demise.
This, as the president of the republic has also vowed to bring justice to the bereaved family of the governor, alongside four of his aides who were also killed by their attackers Saturday at the governor’s residence.
Police investigators said the governor was declared by Comelec as the rightful winner for the province’s gubernatorial seat following a recount proceedings by the Commission on Elections.
His rival, report said, was proclaimed winner right after the counting of ballots in May 2022 national and local elections, but the camp of Degamo reportedly contested the result and requested a recount.
ATTACKS ON POLITICIANS
Last month, Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong, Jr of Lanao del Sur in Mindanao was also ambushed by unknown attackers while traversing a secluded area in barangay Delimbayan, Maguing town.
Although the governor survived the ambush, three of his police escorts and the driver of a convoy vehicle were killed in the ambush.
Also in February, Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri and five of his people were shot dead during a highway ambush.
A mayor of Datu Montawal in Maguindanao was also ambushed along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City last February 22, this year, but the mayor cheated death.
