Marcos condemns Degamo killing, assures justice

CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. yesteray condemned the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, as he assured that justice will be served.

Degamo was with beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in his house in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental when the gunmen barged in and opened fire, killing the governor and "eight other civilians."

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the assassination of a sitting Governor, Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental," Marcos said in a Facebook post accompanied by photos of him with the slain governor.

The President also committed to have justice served.

"My government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice," he said.

"The investigation into this murder is developing rapidly. We have received much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing," Marcos said.

Likewise, the President made a stern warning to the perpetrators of the crime.

"I am warning all those involved in this killing: you can run but you cannot hide. We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option," he said.

Feud in Negros

Separately, Vice President Sara Duterte called on the authorities to look at the "political feud that has gripped Negros Oriental."

"Authorities must immediately probe this cowardly, evil act and bring the perpetrators to justice and [make them] pay for their crime, especially the brains behind it," Duterte said in a statement.

"Authorities must start looking at the political feud that has gripped Negros Oriental and taken so many lives, not just Gov. Degamo," the statement read further.

Denounced

Local officials in Central Visayas have also condemned the brutal killing of Degamo.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she was shocked upon learning of the incident.

Garcia, who described Degamo as "good friend, dedicated public servant and fellow governor," expressed her condolences to the family, as "well to the families of the governor's security personnel who, sadly, were also victims of this horrendous act."

She called for swift action against those responsible for the killing.

"I earnestly hope that the perpetrators of this atrocious crime be exposed, apprehended and brought to justice," she said.

Bohol Governor Aris Auemenado also expressed his symhaties to the Degamo family and condemned the killing.

"Sulod sa dugay na nga panahon, niserbisyo si Degamo, nga adunay mga kaliwat diri sa Bohol, sa maong probinsya isip Konsehal, Board Member, Bise Gobernador, ug Gobernador. Ato usab siyang nakauban sa pipila ka mga higayon, ilabi nga niadtong pinakaulahing RDC meeting (kung aha nisalmot siya pinaagi sa teleconferencing)," Auementado said.

The League of Provinces of the Philippines also condemned the attack to one of its members and called for justice for the victims.

"The League also calls upon the Department of Justice particularly the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police to conduct thorough investigation and to bring to justice those people responsible for this dastardly act," the group added.

The league recalled that this is not the first time that a public servant, particularly a governor, was attacked.

"It was less than two weeks when an attempt against the life of Gov. Mamintal Alonto-Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, killing 4 of his security men, was perpetrated in broad day light," the league said. — /JMD (FREEMAN)