"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight other innocent individuals. Political assassinations have no place in a civilized society where we value human life and protect human rights.
The culprits in these senseless killings must be made to answer for their crimes and our police investigations must not leave any stone unturned in identifying and arresting these criminals.
Today, I will be attending a meeting of the League of Provinces with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. at Camp Crame and we hoped to be apprised with the security situation in the country.
I have also requested our new Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) chief Col. Ronaldo Palomo to brief our provincial officials as well as all the municipal mayors on the peace and order situation in the Province of Iloilo and to discuss other security measures in order to protect them and other government officials.
This meeting will be on Thursday, March 9, at the Casa Real.
We are strengthening our coordination with the PNP so similar acts of violence will never happen again.
I condole with the bereaved families of Governor Degamo and the other victims of this brutal act, and I pray that they get the justice that they rightfully deserve."
