Negros Oriental situation: Change in leadership will not impact probe

CEBU, Philippines — The change in the leadership of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) will not affect the investigation of the massacre that happened in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where Governor Roel Degamo and eight others died, said a police official.

Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, said the Special Investigation Task Group has been organized and led by Police Colonel Noel Flores, Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO-7, who is focused on the investigation of the incident.

"We already know what happened before, during and after the incident and we have already identified the conspirators as well as those direct participants as well as those principals by inducement. What we are doing now is consolidate pieces of evidence para ang atong ma-file nga kaso can really make sure maka-kombikto sa atong pang-filan og kaso," said Pelare.

Police Colonel Alex Recinto has replaced Police Colonel Reynaldo Lizardo as the new provincial director of the NOPPO. The turnover ceremony took place last week.

Lizardo is temporarily placed at the regional headquarters.

Pelare said the change of command was part of the ongoing administrative reshuffle of the PNP.

"Last week naay nga regional directors nga na-transfer.  Of course, the reason for this is to make sure ang mga mang-retire nga mga senior police officers, their positions will be filled, so that is a regular activity or a regular endeavor of Philippine National Police,” Pelare said.

PRO-7 Chief, Police Brigadier Anthony Aberin, has ordered Recinto to resolve the Pamplona massacre, including the past murder cases in the year 2021 and 2022 in the area, and bring justice and restore peace and security in the province, in coordination with the joint task force and with the military.

"We were not given (a) timeframe, we were given leeway to make sure nga ma-solve nato ang puzzle sa Negros Oriental ug atong ma-restore ang peace and security.  Makita ninyo this is a whole of government approach supervised by no less than the president of the country.  Makita pud ninyo unsa ka active ang collaboration sa SILG, DND, DOJ ang other agencies of government," said Pelare. —/GAN (FREEMAN)