Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — Another suspect in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Saturday was arrested, while authorities are hunting down five more.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday announced four suspects are detained, while one was killed in an armed encounter with uniformed personnel hours after the shooting of Degamo inside his residential compound.
Aside from Degamo, eight civilians were killed in the shooting. Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. also said 16 others were wounded, including some of Degamo’s security aides.
In a briefing, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said a case for illegal possession of firearms and explosives is now pending before the Office of the Prosecutor of Bayawan. He added that another case in relation to the deaths and injuries is pending before the Office of the Prosecutor of Negros Oriental.
Ty said the Justice Department is working with the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the suspects’ transfer to Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Azurin said the police obtained information to help identify the mastermind. Without disclosing details, he said those arrested expressed willingness to cooperate in the probe.
“We believe, little by little, we’ll get to the mastermind,” he told reporters.
Authorities have yet to establish a motive for the assassination.
Meanwhile, PNP Special Investigation Task Group spokesperson Gerard Ace Pelare told CNN Philippines’ The Source authorities are looking into all angles, including political rivalry, personal grudges, personal relationships, and possible involvement of terrorists.
Degamo was in the middle of a meeting with some of his constituents on Saturday morning when 10 armed men entered his residential compound in Pamplona town and opened fire, the PNP earlier said.
The shooters were in military uniform and bulletproof vests, and carried long firearms.
Pelares said some of the suspects were dishonorably discharged from the military due to illegal drug charges and absence without official leave.
