Good reason stands alongside the suggestion of Senator Imee Marcos that Negros Oriental be placed under a state of emergency for justice to be swiftly served following the slaying of Governor Roel Degamo, 56, and eight others as well as wounding of 16.
Degamo’s weekend slay, while he was meeting villagers at his home in Pamplona, is the latest brazen-faced punch on local politicians in various parts of the country, according to law enforcement authorities.
Earlier on, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong cheated death in an ambush in Maguing town, the recent ambush on Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Montawal in the metropolis, and the ambush-killing of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda and five of his companions.
Degamo’s killing came more than two weeks after the Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Elections’ resolution recognizing Degamo as the winner of the contested 2022 Negros Oriental gubernatorial race.
The high court junked former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves’ petition against the poll body on the gubernatorial dispute that resulted in a standoff at the Negros Oriental provincial capitol in Dumaguete City last October.
Police said at least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bulletproof vests alighted from three SUVs and opened fire on Degamo, hitting him and at least eight other people in front of his home.
Sen. Marcos, who had worked with Degamo in the Governors League when she was still Ilocos Norte governor, added sugar-rich Negros Oriental should be locked down so those behind the killing could not leave the province.
We support the senator’s call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the province which has a history of political rivalries.
Indeed, this culture of criminality, in any part of the country, must be checked, and the hitmen or the murderers in this latest act of violence, as in previous crimes, as well as the mastermind, their paymasters and whoever conspired to consummate the crime, should posthaste be arrested.
We give our hand to law enforcers who have been quick on the trail of suspects, arresting three and previously shooting to death a fourth in an encounter with pursuing police.
We share the hope of Senator Marcos the arrested suspects will cooperate which could lead to the identification of other individuals responsible for the gun attack.
It is encouraging the investigation into this spine-chilling murder is developing rapidly.
At the same time, it is heartening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised the reprimand bar: “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.”
We are sure law enforcement agents as well as the suspects have heard the President loud and clear.
