Mayors seek nat’l government’s help to address ‘pattern of impunity’ in Negros Oriental
FILE PHOTO: DOJ logo. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Ten local chief executives from Negros Oriental led by the wife of slain governor Roel Degamo on Wednesday met with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, as they sought help from the national government to address the alleged “pattern of impunity” in their province.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and the other local officials provided information and documents regarding peace and order concerns in Negros Oriental during the meeting.
READ: Negros Oriental governor shot dead inside his house
“They are very appreciative that we are doing our work, and they are giving us more details of things that were happening in Negros Oriental. They are giving us documents that we can work on,” Remulla told reporters.
Earlier, Remulla said people from the province had expressed concerns about the political violence in Negros Oriental. He said people approached him and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when they visited governor Degamo’s wake.
READ: ‘Political violence’ in Negros Oriental now a concern for locals, says Remulla
“It has affected them through the years,” he said.
The supposed pattern of impunity goes way back, Remulla noted, adding that they may file more cases later.
“We just have to examine and build up cases,” he said.
A task force was already created to address the alleged pattern of impunity in Negros Oriental. The group consists of the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Executive Secretary, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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