Philippines governor shot dead (video)

The governor of Negros Oriental province in the central Philippines and five others were fatally shot by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of this morning. The incident marks the latest in a series of attacks against local officials.

Six suspects carrying rifles and dressed in military-like uniforms entered Governor Roel Degamo’s residence in Pamplona town at about 9.36am and opened fire, according to local police.

Five others were killed in the attack, four of them were not identified in terms of their current condition, reported Bangkok Post.

The 56 year old politician was distributing aid to constituents when he was attacked, according to Kym Lopez, a provincial police spokesperson.

In a Facebook video, Janice Degamo, the mayor of Pamplona, conveyed her disappointment and sorrow regarding the fate of her husband, who was serving his constituents on a Saturday. She expressed that he did not deserve the unfortunate turn of events.

Meanwhile, Governor Degamo’s political ally, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, condemned the “assassination” and called upon the culprits to surrender. He cautioned them that it would be in their best interests to do so and vowed to ensure that justice is served for this “dastardly and heinous crime.”

Ten suspects, including six gunmen, are being sought by the police for fleeing the crime scene in two SUVs and a pickup truck, which they later abandoned in a neighbouring city.

Degamo is the most recent politician to be targeted, joining a long list of others. In the previous year’s local elections, at least three politicians were shot.

In February, Governor Mamintal Adiong of the southern province of Lanao del Sur was wounded in a shooting incident that resulted in the death of his driver and three police escorts. During the same month, Vice-Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri and five other individuals travelling with him were shot and killed in a highway ambush.

In 2009, the deadliest politically motivated ambush on record took place in Maguindanao province, where a prominent southern clan and around two dozen of their supporters were given life imprisonment for assaulting backers of a gubernatorial election opponent.

The assault resulted in the fatalities of 58 people, including the politician’s wife and family members, as well as 32 journalists and media personnel who were reporting on the election.