Police said that gunmen dressed in military uniforms shot and killed a governor and five civilians while the provincial leader was visiting villagers in the central Philippines. This was the latest brazen attack on local politicians.
Six men, armed with assault rifles and wearing bullet-proof vests and military-style camouflage, jumped out of three SUVs to open fire on Negros Oriental Governor. Roel degamo was also hit by Roel, striking him along with at least five others in front of his house in Pamplona. There are a number of violent political rivalries in the province.
Janice Degamo of Pamplona, the wife and governor of the slain, stated in a Facebook video, that five other villagers had also died.
She demanded justice, and claimed that her husband “didn’t deserve that kind of death.” He was serving constituents along with his department heads on Saturday.”
Police said that 10 suspects fled the scene, and then abandoned the SUVs. Police established security checkpoints, and began a provincial search for the suspects.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the mid-morning assault, in which impoverished villagers gathered before Degamo’s home to seek medical aid.
Marcos stated in a statement that “my government will not rest until the perpetrators this destardly, heinous crime are brought to justice.”
Marcos stated, without going into detail, that authorities had “much information” and were now able to give direction to how to bring to justice the murderers. He also addressed the mastermind of the killing and said, “We will find them.” It will be your best choice to surrender now.
Degamo’s death shows that even local politicians aren’t immune to high-profile gun violence which has continued despite the government promising to stop it.
Last month, Gov. Mamintal Alonto Jr., a southern Lanao del Sur provincial governor, was injured and four of his guards were killed during an attack on their convoy. Police claimed that one of the suspects was killed in a clash.
Unidentified men wearing police uniforms opened fire on the van of northern Aparri’s Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda. They also killed five friends in northern Nueva Vizcaya. They are still at large.
Marcos took office in June 2013 and has left behind a host of problems, including crimes, long-running Muslim and communist rebellions and other security concerns.
