MANILA, Philippines — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to launch hot pursuit operations to track down the gunmen behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Saturday morning.
According to reports, Degamo was shot dead by unidentified assailants in army and navy uniforms in full battle gear at the receiving area inside his home in Barangay Isidro, Pamplona town.
His death was confirmed by Siaton Mayor Fritz Diaz on Saturday afternoon.
READ: Negros Oriental governor shot dead inside his house
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless assassination of Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental this morning at Brgy. San Isidro in the town of Pamplona of this province,” said Abalos.
He added that the PNP is gearing up to conduct hot pursuit operations and has already deployed Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office personnel to check other areas of the province and track down the suspects.
“Asahan ninyo na hindi kami titigil hanggang hindi nareresolba ang kasong ito gayundin ang iba pang insidente ng pananambang na nangyari sa mga nakalipas na araw. (We assure you that we will not stop until we resolve the case and other similar incidents recently.) We will quickly get to the bottom of this,” said Abalos.
The agency also called for witnesses to come forward to provide leads in order to attain justice for the slain governor.
On February 25, DILG also ordered the police to thoroughly investigate the shooting incident involving Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur, in Pasay City.
Furthermore, the agency also directed the PNP to launch manhunt operations to find the suspects behind the gun attack and another official in Lanao del Sur last February 18.
Last February 17, Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and one of his aides were hurt while four of his police escorts were killed in an ambush near the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon.
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