BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was installed less than a year ago as provincial chief executive after winning a post-electoral protest, died of his wounds inside a hospital before high noon today, 4 March 2023, hours after killers reportedly shot at him while he was meeting with staff and constituents inside his house’s compound in Pamplona town.
Degamo, who was to turn 57 next month, was the second Philippine governor to be attacked by gunmen after Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong was ambushed less than a month ago.
As Degamo was rushed to the hospital, the National Police sent a pursuit team after the killers of Degamo who were reportedly dressed in State security uniforms and rode on a black SUV.
NegOr provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kym Lopez told DNX before noon today a black SUV was found left by the highway going to Tayasan town.
“He does not deserve to die like this,” Degamo’s wife, Janice, said in a recorded video statement posted on Degamo’s official Facebook page.
Janice, who was surrounded by what appeared to be his children, also called on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to help seek justice for the death of his husband.
Condemnation
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos, meanwhile, said in his official statement that his office will not stop to ensure that the assassination of Degamo will be thoroughly investigated and solved along with similar cases involving public officials.
He also called on witnesses to come forward and give details of the incident to the local police to help authorities resolve the case.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in an official statement, also condemned what he called as an “act of political violence” against the governor, saying such an act has no place in a democracy.
