PNP: Activities, businesses in Negros still normal despite additional security

The daily activities and businesses in Negros Island remained normal despite additional security in place after the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

“Base po sa huling ulat sa atin ng provincial director, kahapon lang ay nagbigay po siya ng overall assessment at sinasabi po na normal ang pamumuhay ng mga tao sa Negros,” PNP public information office acting chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan told Dobol B TV.

(Based on the latest report from the provincial director who gave an overall assessment just yesterday, he said the daily life of the residents in Negros is normal.)

“Tuloy-tuloy ang mga negosyo. Patuloy po nagagawa ng ating mga kababayan doon ang kanilang normal na gawain,” he added.

(Businesses keep operating. The residents can still do their normal activities.)

Maranan said the only difference is the additional checkpoints and the PNP and the Armed Forces of Philippines are now in control of the peace and order in the island.

On Friday, Defensechief Carlito Galvez Jr. said military personnel will be deployed to Negros Island to address lawless violence and restore peace following the killing ofDegamo and eight others.

The AFP Visayas Command on Sunday said the troops were composed of personnel from the six Army Battalions in Negros Island: the 11th Infantry Battalion; 94th Infantry Battalion; 79th Infantry Battalion; 62nd Infantry Battalion; 15th Infantry Battalion, and the 47th Infantry Battalion.

They will be deployed in the 3rd and 2nd districts of Negros Oriental to “step up the joint law enforcement operation in the province.”

Aside from this, a 50-man Light Reaction Company is also deployed, according to Galvez.

The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office on Friday announced the implementation of a gun ban in the province.

On March 4, Degamo and five others were killed while 13 others were injured in the attack which was done while the governor was distributing aid to his constituents at his residence in Pamplona town. The death toll later increased to nine.

Murder and frustrated murder charges have been filed against four suspects identified as Joric Garido Labrador, Joven Calibjo Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Osmundo Rojas Rivero, and 12 John Does before the Tanjay City Regional Trial Court.

Two of the suspects pointed to a certain “Cong Teves” as the one who allegedly ordered the hit on Degamo. The camp of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves has denied any involvement in the killing of Degamo.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives were also filed against three individuals before the Bayawan City Regional Trial Court. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News