2 yıl önce

Provincial governor, others shot dead in central Philippines: officials

The killed governor Roel Degamo had won the contest for the Negros Oriental governorship following a recount that unseated his local rival, who had previously been proclaimed the victor.

Degamo, 56, is the latest to be targeted in the Philippines' long history of attacks on politicians, and is at least the third to be shot since local elections just last year.

A provincial governor in the central Philippines and five other people have been shot dead by unknown gunmen in the latest attack against local politicians, his widow and officials said.

President Ferdinand Marcos condemned what he described as the "assassination" of his political ally, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, and vowed to bring swift justice to his killers.

Several gunmen entered the property and opened fire as the politician distributed aid to constituents, provincial police spokesman Kym Lopez told AFP news agency.

The Supreme Court last month declared him the rightful winner of the contest for the Negros Oriental governorship following a recount that unseated his local rival, who had previously been proclaimed the victor.

Lopez, the police spokesman, said they had no suspects at this time.

I am warning all those involved in this killing: you can run but you cannot hide. We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) March 4, 2023

Attacks on politicians

Mamintal Adiong, governor of the southern province of Lanao del Sur, was shot and wounded in February in an attack that killed his driver and three police escorts.

That same month, the vice-mayor of the northern town of Aparri, Rommel Alameda, and five other people who were travelling with him were shot dead in a highway ambush.

In the bloodiest politically motivated ambush on record, the leaders of a powerful southern clan and about two dozen followers were sentenced to life in prison for a 2009 attack on supporters of a gubernatorial election rival in Maguindanao province.

The attack left 58 people dead, including the politician's wife and relatives, along with 32 journalists and media workers who were covering the race.

SOURCE: AFP