PNP: Recent spate of ambushes on local officials isolated cases

The Philippine National Police over the weekend said the recent spate of ambuscades targeting local government officials are isolated cases, because various groups with different motives were involved in the five gun attacks recorded beginning just in February. 

PNP Public Information Office's PCol. Red Maranan said the recent incidents are not related given the locations, motives, and the officials being targeted.

“Nangyayari po ‘yan sa magkakaibang lugar na hindi po ginagawa ng iisang group, kundi iba-ibang grupo ang gumagawa, iba-iba ang motibo, iba-iba ang dahilan,” he said in an interview on GMA Super Radyo DZBB aired on a report of Mav Gonzales on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

[The attacks happened in different places, and were pulled off by different groups with different motives and reasons.]

PNP's statement came after Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and five others were killed in a gun attack by armed men at the official's residence on Saturday, March 5.

The assassination of Governor Degamo is the most recent incident in the string of attacks on government officials, including the ambushes on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. on February 17; Aparri Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda on February 19; Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal on February 22; and Lipa, Batangas Barangay Captain Vivencio Palo last week.

“High profile ang mga biktima rito. ‘Wag kayong mag-alala. Talagang we’re doing our best here, like here in Negros,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said in the same report.

“I do not want some people ... to be complacent. For those in uniform, magkakaroon tayo ng mga reshuffling. Reshuffling especially in areas na talagang medyo hotspots (we will have reshuffling, especially in areas that are hotspots),” he added. —LBG, GMA Integrated News