Philippine governor, 5 others killed in brazen attack

ANKARA (AA) – A governor of the Philippines' Central Visayas region and five others were killed by unknown assailants on Saturday morning, according to his wife and local newspapers.

A group of unknown attackers, clad in the full army and navy battle gear and riding in two SUVs, sprayed bullets on Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and his department heads in front of his Pamplona town residence, while they were serving their constituents.

The governor, 56, and other victims were rushed to the nearest hospital.

In a Facebook post, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo said her husband was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m. (0341GMT), saying, "The governor does not deserve that kind of death."

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo stated in a Facebook post that her husband was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m. (0341 GMT), saying, “The governor does not deserve that kind of death."

Five more people were killed in the attack.

The provincial official was said to be "entertaining 4Ps ((Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries at the entrance of his residence when suddenly a group of persons wearing pixelized uniforms and in full battle gear shot the governor several times hitting the latter and some civilians," according to The Philippine Star.

"Reports from Investigation-On-Case indicate that 6 suspects, wearing pixelized uniforms with long firearms, perpetuated the shooting and immediately fled on board two SUVs," the police said, as quoted by the daily.
Three escape vehicles were later discovered abandoned in Brgy Kansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, the police added.

Last month, the Supreme Court upheld Degamo's proclamation as governor of Negros Oriental after the High Court dismissed a petition filed by Pryde Henry Teves against the Commission on Elections for "awarding the votes garnered by a nuisance candidate in favor of Gov. Roel Degamo."

Teves refused to resign as governor in 2022, despite orders from the Department of Interior and Local Government, according to the daily.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid