Putting down a governor

When news broke out about Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental being attacked by assailants in his house, a shiver went down my spine. He is one of the governors of the country who has been so open not only to his constituents but to the members of the media as well. I said a prayer that he would be safe from harm, but unfortunately he passed away due to a number of gunshot wounds.

As I reviewed the footage that showed the perpetrators’ entry into the residence, everything seemed so smooth, so planned and coordinated. At a snap of a finger, they instantly shot everyone in the area with their firearms and made sure that their target wouldn't be spared. It was gruesome and gory, an event that would definitely sow trauma in the minds of those who witnessed it.

Today this humble province has lost its governor. The province that houses the city considered to be of ‘gentle people’ has gone rogue. Degamo's town, Pamplona, which was once peaceful, is now an area to be feared for continuous attacks that might happen after his death.

I could just imagine the grief everyone is going through. His widow is most devastated. Janice, who is also the mayor of Pamplona, shared that her husband was very peace-loving and outgoing. The man loved to talk to his constituents, hence letting them inside their home during the weekends. It was something he did out of love, out of his compassion to help others.

But this isn't just an isolated case. It is a case study of what can happen to our other leaders. If a mastermind can stage a plan as such, then we are no longer safe where we are. We have lost the sense of democracy because it has become very easy to kill. Even civilians who had a stake in politics were also shot, as if the perpetrators did not have living family members as well.

Sometimes I wonder how they sleep at night. I always think about how their thoughts are never haunted by the bereaved family members because of what they have done. As Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said: "This has no place in our country."

If Abalos is right then Degamo's case must be the last in the series of events involving governors. We must honor democracy and the people's choice of who should lead the local government units. There is so much disrespect for the rule of law, much more to the right to life.

That fateful day in March will never be forgotten. An assassination plot that prospered should never be celebrated, but it must serve as a reminder to be strong against those who would want to attack you. There is a need to uphold suffrage and democracy. These are very important and sacred concepts in our society today.