Negros Oriental governor Degamo laid to rest

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was laid to rest in his hometown Siaton on Thursday.

Relatives, friends, local officials, and supporters attended the funeral mass for the governor at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Barangay Bonawon.

The remains of Degamo were placed beside his deceased parents at the family's compound in the town.

Degamo was talking to beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, on the morning of Saturday, March 4 when armed men barged in and fired shots.

The governor and five others were killed. The death toll rose to nine the day after the attack. Thirteen others were seriously injured, while four were treated as outpatients.

Three suspects were arrested during a hot pursuit operation in Bayawan City on March 4. One suspect died in an encounter with authorities in the province, police said. Another suspect was arrested on March 5. 

Murder and frustrated murder charges were filed last week 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.

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

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier appealed to the remaining suspects in the killing of Degamo to surrender to the authorities, saying they already know their identities.

Authorities continue the manhunt operations for the remaining suspects.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News