Philippines: suspect killed, 3 arrested in killing of governor Roel Degamo
- Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was shot dead by men wearing military-like camouflage uniforms; 8 others were also killed
- Police made 3 arrests, including 2 former soldiers, killing 1 during a chase
Police have killed one suspect and arrested three others for the brazen shootings that killed a central Philippine provincial governor and eight others, including villagers seeking aid from the political leader, officials said on Sunday.
The killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo at his home on Saturday by at least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-like camouflage uniforms and bullet-resistant vests was the deadliest in a series of attacks on politicians in recent weeks in the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr condemned the killing of Degamo, who backed him in the presidential election last year, and said the “government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice”.
Degamo was meeting villagers who were seeking medical and other help when the armed men walked calmly into his residential compound in Pamplona town and opened fire. They fled in three SUVs, which were later abandoned in a nearby town and from which about 10 men were seen fleeing, according to police reports.
At least 17 others, including a doctor and two army soldiers, were wounded, police said.
Police quickly set up road checkpoints and later on Saturday arrested three suspects, including two former soldiers, and killed one in a clash as they chased the gunmen. A number of rifles and a pistol were recovered from the suspects, police said without elaborating or disclosing if they have determined a motive for the attack.