Palace forms task force to address ‘pattern of impunity’ in Negros Oriental

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has created a task force to handle what Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has described as a “pattern of impunity” in Negros Oriental.

Aside from the Department of Justice (DOJ), included in the group is the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We met together so that we could coordinate with each other,” Remulla told reporters.

He said, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. is the one in charge of the group.

“Our conversation was more organizational, and the necessity of putting back the faith of the people in the justice system, the peace and order in Negros Oriental, so that the people will be confident in the government,” he said.

Remulla said investigators are seeing a pattern of impunity in Negros Oriental following Degamo’s killing.

“What comes out is a pattern. It’s a pattern of impunity that we did not sense before. It is something that is so new to us,” he said.

Though Remulla did not elaborate, he said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would soon invite individuals to shed light on the killings to identify the mastermind.

“This is not just about nine murders, there may be more cases to be investigated, besides even the ones, the three cases, brought by Atty. [Levito] Baligod here on Tuesday,” Remulla said referring to the complaint in connection with 2019 killings.

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