Abalos: Peace and order key to Negros Oriental progress; fight for justice remains

MANILA, Philippines — “Economic development is always intertwined with peace and order.”

This was underscored by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. to local officials, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other sectors during his visit to the province of Negros Oriental this Saturday.

DILG Secretary Abalos said the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), local government units (LGUs), and the public must unite to successfully uphold peace and order within Negros Oriental following the assassination of then-Governor Degamo last March. 

He also added that the peace and order situation in Negros Oriental continues to recover and improve through the tireless efforts of local law enforcement authorities and crime incidents are in a steady decline in the province, according to the data of the PNP.

“Marami nang nangyari.  Ang importante, (So many things have transpired. What’s important is) we should look forward and take control of the situation. We owe it to our province and the people of Negros,” he said.

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“Hangad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. na tayo ay magtulungan para makamtan ang hustisya at umunlad ang ekonomiya.  Ang Importante ay mabuhay ang probinsya, ang negosyo pumasok, ang mga turista ay pumunta. Palakasin pa natin, pagtulungan pa natin (It is President President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal that we support one other to attain justice and economic progress. It’s important for the province to thrive, the business to pour in, and tourist to visit the province. Let us continue to help each other),” he added.

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Degamo case

The DILG secretary also assured the public that justice would still be attained by the families of Degamo and those slain in the assassination, despite the retracting of testimonies by some of the prime suspects behind the plot. 

“Maraming kaso ang naisampa na sa Department of Justice at sumasailalim sa preliminary investigation, ang iba rito ay nasa Regional Trial Courts na at hinihintay na lamang ang desisyon ng mga ito (There are many cases filed in the Department of Justice and are undergoing preliminary investigation, with others lodged in the Regional Trial Court awaiting verdict), ” he said. 

“Huwag kayong mag-alala, under the procedure of these agencies of government, lalabas at lalabas ang katotohanan at mamamayani ang hustisya. (Do not  be concerned, under the procedure of these agencies of government, the truth will be exposed and justice will prevail),” Abalos guaranteed.

He also enjoined the PNP to take all necessary initiatives to ensure that there will be no more future cases of heinous crimes similar to the Degamo and nine other people’s slay incidents last March.

“For the men and women of the PNP, siguraduhin natin na hindi na ito mauulit. Magtulungan tayo dito. (let us assure that this will not happen again). On the ground, gawin n’yo ang trabaho n’yo at lahat ng suporta ibibigay sa inyo ng (fulfil your sworn duty and all the necessary support will be extende to you by) national government.”

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