DOJ offers P5 million reward for information on Negros Oriental governor's killers

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday offered a P5 million reward for anyone who can give information on who was behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the incident.

“The department, together with all the other law enforcement agencies, will not rest until justice is met. The killers as well as the mastermind/s will be uncovered and will be held accountable for the incident,” Remulla said in a statement.

"The violent and senseless manner by which the perpetrators carried out their plan cannot and will not be tolerated. Not only did they kill their target, but they killed innocent civilians along the way. There is absolutely no room for such evil doings in this country,” he added.

Degamo was killed and nine others were injured when armed men opened fire while the official was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental on Saturday.

Degamo’s family confirmed that the governor passed away at 11:41 a.m., according to a report by Decemay Padilla of Super Radyo Cebu on Super Radyo dzBB.

Initial investigation revealed that six suspects wearing pixelized uniforms and carrying long firearms shot Degamo, who was entertaining beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program at his residence in Barangay San Isidro.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government also ordered the Philippine National Police to conduct manhunt operations for the killers of the governor.

Personnel from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office were deployed in the area to capture the suspects, according to DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos. — DVM, GMA Integrated News.