Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a verbal order to create a joint task force (JTF) to run after those behind Governor Roel Degamo’s assassination and to ensure peace on Negros Island, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Friday.
\”President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave his instruction to me last night to suppress the criminal activities and impunity in the entire island of Negros and to give justice to the families and loved ones of those who were slain in the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo and restore normalcy and confidence of our people,\” DND officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a press briefing
According to Galvez, the task force will be composed of two brigades and six battalions to support the joint operations of the AFP and police in the province following Degamo’s killing.
“This joint task force will be composed of AFP units based in the area and augmented by troops outside the province… It will be headed by the commander of 3rd Infantry Division Brigadier General Marion Sison,” AFP Chief of Staff Andres Centino said.
Negros Oriental Gov. Degamo was killed in his home on March 4, with the attack leaving eight others dead.
Reporters asked what the present situation in Negros Oriental was like, and if this warranted a JTF.
“Maayos na yung sitwasyon doon [The situation there is okay],” Galvez said. However, he added that the government still felt the need to establish a JTF amid “emerging cases.”
He explained that these emerging cases were linked to the province’ s history with “guns for hire” — something local government units and residents of Negros Oriental had been suffering from for years.
Galvez said reports of these cases of violence surfaced only recently, when Marcos and several Cabinet members visited the province after Degamo’s assassination. He said the elimination of the violence was part of the JTF’ s directive.
READ: Marcos visits wake of slain Negros Oriental governor, vows assistance
The president has no plans to declare a state of emergency in the province, Galvez added. He explained that Marcos’ directive was a verbal order which called on the AFP to lend a hand in the case of Degamo and in security operations in Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, authorities announced that permits to carry firearms outside residence are suspended in the province until further notice.
