The Philippine National Police on Sunday said they expect the remaining suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo who are on the run “to be captured perhaps within the next few hours and the following days.”

In a statement, the PNP said that they were able to arrest three suspects in the killing who were identified as Joric Labrador, 50, of Cagayan de Oro City; Joven Aber, 42, of Brgy Robles, La Castellana, Negros Oriental; and  Benjie Rodriguez, 45, of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.

All three are former Army soldiers who were dishonorably discharged due to alleged involvement in illegal drugs and for being absent without official leave.

All three held the rank of corporal, with one of them a former Scout Ranger, who is supposedly trained in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close-quarters combat, urban warfare and sabotage.

“The PNP will not stop here, remaining suspects on the run need to be captured perhaps within the next few hours and the following days until we arrest  all the participants and mastermind of this heinous crime,” the PNP said.

The three suspects were arrested in Sitio Punong, Brgy Cansumalig at 4:20 PM on March 4, 2023 by combined forces from the Bayawan Municipal Police Station, PNP-SAF, and Philippine Army.

Police recovered a Springfield cal.45 pistol, ammunition and ID cards from the arrested suspects.

The PNP said that police units are now “in hot pursuit of gunmen who stormed the residence of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo captured three suspects in mountainous area of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.”

“Hot pursuit continued in the areas surrounding Brgy Cansumalig in Bayawan City where police tracker teams earlier recovered the three abandoned vehicles used by the suspects as getaway vehicles,” the PNP said.

The suspects were taken to the Bayawan City Police Station to undergo further investigation and forensic procedures.

“The PNP has been working relentlessly to locate the other suspects involved in the shooting of Governor Degamo and his constituents in his residence,” it stated.

Meanwhile, a fourth suspect was killed during an encounter around 9 p.m. Saturday, also in Barangay Cansumalig, after he refused to surrender and traded shots with law enforcers.

His identity has yet to be established.

“At around 9:00 in the evening of March 4, 2023 joint elements of PRO 7, 62nd SAC and Philippine Army, while on pursuit operations against the remaining suspects, neutralized one suspect who fired at the operating elements in Sitio Punong, Brgy Cansumalig, Bayawan City. During the exchange of fire, the unidentified suspect incurred fatal gunshot wounds resulting in his death.  Right now, continuous efforts are made to identify the dead suspect and to arrest the remaining perpetrators,” it added.

The PNP said that the arrested suspects yielded information on the whereabout of the weapons they hid after the incident.

They were able to recover five assault rifles (5.56 mm) with 6 magazines; B40 (RPG with 5 ammo); Bandolier with fully loaded with plates; rifle case; two combat uniforms; a grey sweatshirt; three pairs combat shoes; two magazines cal 45 with 9 ammos; and 177 cal 5.56 mm cartridges; two bullet proof vests.

“The SITG is working on the double with our AFP counterparts to ensure that the remaining suspects will be arrested and justice will be served the soonest possible time” the PNP said.

CURRENTPH NEWS SERVICE