SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada will pass a resolution next week to condemn the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo and eight other people inside his residential compound in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023.
Estrada, along with Senators Bong Go, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Robinhood Padilla, as well as actor Philip Salvador, visited the wake of the slain governor in his house in Dumaguete City to offer condolences to the victim's family around 8 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2023.
The senators expressed sympathy to the governor's wife, Janice, who is mourning the loss of her husband.
Estrada recalled that around three to four attacks on elected government officials took place since February 17, 2023.
These attacks included the ambush staged by unidentified men allegedly clad in police uniforms and riding in a government car in Bagabag town, Nueva Vizcaya, that killed Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and five of his companions on February 19, and the assassination attempt on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. that resulted in the death of his escorts identified as Juraij Adiong, Aga Sumandar, Jalil Cosain, and a certain Kobi in Maguing town, Lanao del Sur province on February 17.
Governor Adiong survived the ambush.
Estrada said the government should take action in this regard. He urged the police to strengthen their security and arrest the suspects as soon as possible.
“Because of this spate of killings right now, ilan naba siguro lagpas sampu na ang target ang namamatay (more than 10 people may have already been dead). The last victim was governor Adiong (Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr) of Lanao, buti nabuhay sya (luckily he survived),” Estrada said.
For his part, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he was saddened by what happened.
He described Degamo as a true ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said the former President had called Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo to offer his condolences to the grieving family.
The senator hoped to put an end to the string of deaths involving elected officials, while calling for justice in the death of the governor.
“Sana po ay matigil na ito, hindi lang po matigil dapat may mapanagot, dahil habang walang mapapanagot tulad nalang sa nangyari sa isang gobernador sa Mindanao at isa sa north ay isang vice mayor, nakakabahala po yung ganung pagpapatay ng local officials,” Go said.
(I hope this can be stopped, but it can't just be stopped; someone should be held accountable, because even though no one can be held responsible, just like what happened to a governor in Mindanao and the vice mayor in the north, the killing of local officials is disturbing.)
Go also gave financial assistance to the Degamo family and the families of eight other civilians who were killed with the governor and 14 persons injured during the attack.
“Kami po ay nandidito at willing po kaming tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya sa mga civilian at mabigyan po ng hustisya,” Go said.
(We are here and willing to help the civilians as much as we can obtain justice.)
Mayor Degamo believes that the sympathy of national officials is a great help to identify the mastermind of the gruesome killing.
“Mo worst ang situation sa Negros Oriental because if that can happen to me, to a governor, it can happen to anyone, so mao na nga miingon ko nga kung dili ni hunongon, ako gyud gamiton ang word nga basig ma Ampatuan gyud ang Negros Oriental,” Janice said.
(The situation in Negros Oriental will become worse because if that can happen to me, to a governor, it can happen to anyone, so that's why I said that if it doesn't stop, I will absolutely say that maybe Negros Oriental will turn like Ampatuan.)
She said she felt relief when former President Duterte called her and told her to be strong and not to surrender. (AYB/TPT)