PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of National Defense (DND) to “suppress criminal activities and impunity” in the entire Negros Island and give justice to the families of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and eight civilians.
Defense secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. yesterday said they deployed a 50-man specially-trained strong Light Reaction Company to Negros Oriental to monitor the remaining suspects.
The members of the special troop, considered the primary counter-terrorism unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), were serving in Cotabato prior to the assignment.
“As the President had said we will give justice to the family and sabi niya sa mga suspects, ‘you can run but you cannot hide, we will find you,’” said Galvez.
Marcos also issued verbal orders to create a joint taskforce composed of two brigades to step up and assist the ongoing joint AFP-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) operations.
The taskforce – tasked to carry out the President’s order and search warrants – will be headed by the commander of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Brigadier General Marion Sison, and will be assisted by two brigade commanders, Brigadier General Leo Peña and Colonel Orlando Edralin.
On March 4, Degamo along with eight civilians were killed at the former’s residence in Barangay San Isidro, Pamplona town.
A few hours later, one suspect died after engaging in a gun battle with law enforcers while five were arrested. They were Joric Garrido Labrador, Joven Aber, Benjie Rodriguez, Rickyvelle Luces, and Osmindo Rivero.
Of the five, two revealed vital information that could solve the crime and were placed under the Witness Protection Program by the Department of Justice.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino said the arrested suspects are now in the custody of the PNP and National Bureau of Investigation.
Centino assured the AFP will continue to work with other agencies to arrest the remaining suspects. (With reports from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
