News Release

PBBM vows swift justice for Gov. Degamo killing; offers aid to wounded, scholarship to children of victims


President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured on Wednesday that justice will be served to the family of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and other victims who were killed in an attack over the weekend.

President Marcos issued the statement as he vowed to provide assistance to those who were injured during the gun attack.

“I just came here para makiramay sa family ni Gov. Roel. Nagtatanong lang kami kung ano pa ‘yung kailangang gawin, paano matulungan ‘yung mga biktima at pati ‘yung mga nasa ospital ngayon,” President Marcos told members of the media following his visit to the wake of the late governor in Dumaguete City.

“Nandiyan ‘yung mga ibang kamag-anak at asawa ng mga namatay kaya’t nakausap din natin. Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na makakaasa sila na magkakaroon ng hustisya dito sa inyong probinsiya na naging masyadong magulo na,” the President said.

The chief executive also committed to give educational scholarship to the children of those killed and shoulder the medical fees of those wounded.

The President has strongly condemned the assassination of Degamo last Saturday, vowing his administration will do everything in its power to bring those behind the killing to the bar of justice.

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

Degamo’s killing is “entirely unacceptable and it will not stand,” the President said, adding that the suspects “cannot go unpunished.”

Reports said gunmen barged into the property of Degamo, 56, and opened fire as the governor distributed aid to constituents, killing him and several others.

Last month, the Supreme Court declared Degamo as the winner of the Negros Oriental gubernatorial race following a recount that unseated his rival. (PND)