Move FM Global News

MANILA, Philippines: Some six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bullet-proof vests alighted from three SUVs and fatally shot Negros Oriental Provincial Governor Roel Degamo and five civilians on March 4.

The incident took place while the provincial leader was meeting villagers at his home in Pamplona town in the central Philippines, police said. The province has a history of violent political rivalries.

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the wife of the slain governor, demanded justice and said her husband “did not deserve that kind of death. He was serving constituents on a Saturday, along with his department heads,” as quoted by the Associated Press.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the mid-morning attack, which took place as impoverished villagers gathered in front of Degamo’s house to seek medical and other aid.

“My government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice,” Marcos said in a statement.

Marcos added, without elaborating, that authorities had gathered “much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing.” He addressed the mastermind and the killers, saying, “We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option.”