Philippine National Police Chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., on Sunday expressed belief that “politics” may have also played a role in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

“Yes, maybe politics (is involved), tinigitignan natin lahat ng anggulo, parang may idea na kami sa nangyari (we are looking at all angles, we have a hint as to what happened),” Azurin said.

Meanwhile, PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Red Maranan said that an organized criminal group may be behind the murder.

He said that this is because the suspects involved in the Pamplona, Negros Oriental shooting on Saturday were not just ordinary criminals.

“Meron itong grupo…Ang tawag natin dito sa mga ‘to ay organized crime groups sapagkat hindi naman ito mga ordinaryong kriminal kasi may mga sasakyan sila, matataas na kalibre ng baril, nakakakuha sila ng mga uniporme ng law enforcement agencies. So, isa talaga itong organisadong criminal groups,” he said.

(Tey have a group. We call them organized crime groups because they are not ordinary criminal because they have cars, high powered firearms and they were able to secure uniforms of law enforcement agencies. So this is an organized group,” he said.

Earlier, a suspect reportedly involved in the assassination of Degamo died during an encounter with state forces. Three others were arrested.

The death toll in the shooting incident at the official’s residence had increased to nine, according to PNP Region 7 spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare.

Maranan said that in an earlier interview that they are looking at all angles to the motive fo the killing.

Security for the Degamo family was intensified, as well as to new Negros Oriental governor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, who was the vice governor of the province. Reyes was sworn into office as governor on Saturday.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang hot pursuit natin at ginagamit natin lahat ng resources ng PNP nang sa gano’n, sa lalong madaling panahon ay mahuli natin ang lahat ng suspek at maabot natin kung sino ‘yung mastermind. Unti-unti nang lumiliwanag ang kuwento,” Maranan said. 

Catherine R. Cueto