By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was laid to rest in his hometown in Siaton yesterday afternoon, March 16.
Diocese of Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes led the requiem mass for Degamo.
During his homily, he called for an end to the cycle of violence and unsolved killings in the province.
Cortes added the governor’s death made the people of Negros Oriental unite to fight the culture of impunity.
Thousands of supporters lined up shouting “Justice! Justice!” as Degamo’s remains were brought to St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Siaton’s Barangay Bonawon.
Following the requiem mass, the remains were finally brought to the final resting place at the governor’s family residence.
He was laid to rest beside his late parents and sister.
“Justice for Roel Degamo!” Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the governor’s spouse, cried out at the family mausoleum.
Mourners came from other towns and cities in Negros Oriental. Some who were unable to catch the shuttle buses provided opted to stay at the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol where a livestream was made available.
During the ceremony, personnel of the Philippine National Police sent off a 21-gun salute while family members released white balloons.
Malacañang declared a special non-working holiday in the province yesterday to allow the community to grieve and honor Degamo and the eight other victims, who were gunned down by assailants at the governor’s residential compound in Pamplona town on March 4.
The suspects in the assassination — former military personnel Joric Labrador, Joven Javier and Benjie Rodriguez — were arrested a few hours after the incident.
Suspect Arnil Libradilla, a former member of the New People’s Army, was gunned down in a police hot pursuit operation on the night of March 4.
Other suspects, Osmundo Rivero and Rickyvelle Luces, were nabbed the following day, March 5.
Labrador, Javier, Rodriguez, and Rivero have turned state witnesses to the assassination.
However, the suspects are facing charges of multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and illegal possession of firearms./With a report from PNA / DGB, WDJ