Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said that normalcy has been restored in Negros Oriental, which was gripped by tension following the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo on Saturday.
Romualdez assured the public that the local government is in full control of the situation and that the delivery of government services is not disrupted.
“We have restored peace and order in Negros Oriental,” Romualdez said. “The local government is fully functional and in control of the situation with the swearing-in of the new governor and vice-governor. The PNP, AFP, NBI and all law enforcement agencies are tasked to provide all assistance necessary for the new officials to carry out their functions,” Romualdez said.
He added that investigators were working round the clock to build up the case against the attackers and said it would not be long before all the gunmen are arrested.
“There will be no sacred cows in our fight against criminality,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero said the government should distribute the P5.22-billion intelligence fund among several agencies to bring down gun-for-hire syndicates.
Degamo’s assassination, he said, was among the many signs that killing-for-hire has become a cottage industry.
He said an all-out war against the syndicates using the full might of intelligence funds can deter similar crimes.
“Only with the identification and dismantling of groups of hired killers can assassinations be stopped,” Escudero said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the series of political killings in recent weeks.
Senate Resolution No. 518 stated that it was not the first time in the province, citing a week-long killing spree in Negros Oriental in 2019.
“The violence happened in broad daylight. They have no shame nor fear. Even more disturbing, uniformed personnel are complicit or actively involved. This culture of impunity is a grave danger to the public,” she said.
Hontiveros also mentioned the attempted assassinations on Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Almeda, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur; and the killings of former Quezon vice mayor Danilo Amat, former Lobo, Batangas vice mayor Romeo Sulit, and former Lamitan City, Basilan mayor Rosita Furigay.
“A Senate investigation should be conducted not only to exact justice for the victims, but also to identify the underlying drivers of the killings, particularly the failure and inaction of our institutions, including our law enforcement agencies, to address political and election-related violence,” the resolution states.
Hontiveros asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to review its processes on settling election-related disputes and violence.
“Comelec’s processes have become increasingly ineffective and inefficient. The inordinate delay of Comelec en banc rulings may have aggravated vindictiveness,” she said.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said he and his colleagues in the Upper Chamber were alarmed and scared due to the series of killings, and some six or seven of them have taken to going to the firing range for practice shooting.
He did not name the senators, however, but said they could be seen on social media.