LT. COL. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Special Investigation Task Group that is investigating the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona town on March 4, announced in a press briefing on Tuesday, March 7, that the entire police force of Bayawan City was relieved of their duties, as ordered from the hierarchy of the Philippine National Police.
He said a team had already been sent to Bayawan, which will compose the police force. The relieved personnel, meanwhile, were assigned to the provincial police headquarters.
"This is an operational and tactical decision of the command to make sure that the remaining suspects will be arrested," he said.
He said that manhunt operations against the remaining suspects are still ongoing.
Three of the five suspects, former military men who were discharged from service, were arrested on Saturday, March 4, hours after the gun attack that left Degamo and eight others dead.
The other one was killed in a pursuit operation, while the other was arrested the following day, March 5.
Pelare also said that the four suspects were transferred to Camp Crame as instructed by the national government.
Two of these suspects will be placed under the Department of Justice's Witness Protection Program, he said.
He also said that the arrested suspects have shared substantial information in relation to the crime committed, but he refused to divulge further details as the troops are still on the ground pursuing the remaining suspects.
"We have a maximum police presence in Bayawan and neighboring towns," he said.
He also said that they have found matches from the bullets and assault rifles used during the ballistic exam, but refused to elaborate more on the details, but stressed that it can help bolster their case.
He also said that prints were also taken from the recovered getaway vehicles and are now in the process of DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, testing.
Moreover, the owners of the getaway vehicles have already been identified following their coordination with the Land Transportation Office.
"We are currently investigating the owners, if they have something to do or if the vehicles were stolen...we have already coordinated with the owners," he said, adding that the owners are participating in the investigation.
Meanwhile, Pelare said that all of Negros Island is "sealed" due to the ongoing hot pursuit operations.*