FORMER officers of the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have issued a formal statement condemning the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, which resulted in the deaths of eight civilians on March 4.

The manifesto was posted by Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, the slain provincial executive’s wife, on her Facebook page.

“We strongly believe that this is a grave concern that requires an intervention from the national government to subject those responsible for condemnable acts to the rule of law and restore peace and order in the province of Negros Oriental,” the statement read.

The retired officers praised the immediate response and investigation efforts that led to the arrest of most suspects and the seizure of their firearms and other evidence used in the crime.

Among the signatories were retired Vice Admiral Edmund Tan of the PCG, retired Police Colonel Gabriel Teves Tayko of the PNP, retired Captain Elson Teves Tayko of the PN (Philippine Navy), retired Captain Jorge Ibarra of the PN, retired Brigadier General Lincoln Tagle of the PA (Philippine Army), retired Police Lieutenant General Jose Chiquito Malayo, retired Colonel Julius DC Miranda of the PA, and retired Police Brigadier General Eddie Benigay.

The attack killed at least nine people, including the governor.

Witnesses reported that heavily armed suspects wearing camouflage uniforms carried out the attack on the governor’s residence in Pamplona town, where he was meeting beneficiaries of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps).

Degamo was killed 19 days after the Supreme Court declared him the winner in the contested gubernatorial race in his province.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas