• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than a week after the armed attack and assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo in his residence at the town of Pamplona, the Philippine National Police has vowed to end culture of violence in Negros Oriental.
PLt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, PNP deputy chief for Administration, in his speech during the activation of Special Joint Task Force Negros in Dumaguete City, on March 11, representing Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, expressed the utmost commitment PNP to give justice to the family of slain Gov. Roel Degamo, and to the restoration of peace and order in Negros Oriental.
The shooting rampage also claimed the lives of eight other civilians, and injured 17 others.
We are here not just to solve the crime and to compel the perpetrators to answer for their crimes, but more so, we are here to put a stop to the culture of violence that causes fear in the hearts and minds of the people – and see to it that it never happens again, Sermonia said.
While he understands the apprehension of some sectors over the extensive operations of the joint task force of the DILG, Defense and Justice Departments, over the killing of Governor Degamo, Sermonia said he appealed for understanding, stressing that such a tremendous crime must be equated with a strong response, as it will send a “strong message to all that we do not take lightly such an incident,” and to manifest that the justice system is working.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the joint special task force is nearing the resolution of the case.
“With the pieces of evidence at hand, naniniwala ang STF (the special task force believes) we are nearing the solution of these cases. We are just fine-tuning ang finalizing some of the evidence at hand, kasama na nga diyan ‘yung mga (including) material revelation and pieces of evidence like evidence collected by the Forensic Group of the PNP,” she said.
“The STF is really confident that in the coming days, we can unmask already the people behind this heinous crime,” Fajardo added.
Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has encouraged the public to share with authorities all the information they might have on the killing of Gov. Degamo and eight others on March 4.
In a statement Saturday night, Galvez assured the government would use all the information they would gather “to get the justice everyone deserves.”*
