JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has called for an investigation into the police security details assigned to slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Remulla expressed concern that only one of the six officers assigned to Degamo’s security detail was on duty on the day of the killing.

In an interview with radio station DZRH, Remulla also highlighted potential failures in police intelligence work by the Philippine National Police – Region 7 regional command, which may have contributed to the March 4th attack.

“Of the six officers assigned to Gov. Degamo, only one was present that day. Five did not show up. That should be investigated. It’s also a failure of intelligence on the part of the PNP Region 7 regional command. The police assigned to Gov. Degamo should have been providing perimeter security. It’s their job to watch his house. But on that day, they were absent,” Remulla said.

The assassination occurred while Degamo was meeting with beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at his home in Pamplona town.

Witnesses reported that heavily armed suspects wearing camouflage uniforms carried out the attack, resulting in the deaths of eight people.

Within five hours of the incident, police and military units conducted hot pursuit operations and apprehended three suspects, including two former military members.

Degamo had won a fiercely contested gubernatorial race in his province, and his assassination occurred only 19 days after the Supreme Court declared him the winner.

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Hector Lawas