Negros Oriental gov: No recommendation yet from ground to declare martial law

There is still no compelling reason to declare martial law in Negros Oriental despite the spate of killings in the province in the last few weeks, according to Governor Roel Degamo.

The Negros Oriental governor insisted that the killings — numbering to more than 20 and happening across several municipalities — were "isolated," and that law and order continue to prevail in the province.

"Para sa akin, in my point of view, kung wala nang law and order sa buong probinsya, that's the time [mag-declare ng martial law]. But for now, it is an isolated case only for 2 [local government units]," he said in a GMA News Balitanghali report.

Degamo said he is closely coordinating with local security forces to determine the situation on the ground.

"I am depending on the recommendation of the gentlemen on the ground, yung mga Philippine Army at Philippine National Police... [So far] wala pa naman pong recommendation na ganun [to declare martial]," Degamo said.

The governor said he believes the President Rodrigo Duterte will not place the province under martial law "if it's  not necessary."

"At ang President naman ay makikinig sa advisers niya at LGUs," he added.

Since four policemen were tortured and killed in Ayungon, Negros Orientalon on July 18, 17 others killings happened in the province. The police suspected communist rebels to be behind the slays, something the New People's Army has denied. — MDM, GMA News