DEPARTMENT of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has called for an investigation into the police security details assigned to slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
Remulla wanted to know why only one of the six policemen assigned to Degamo was on duty on the day of the killing.
Five of Degamo’s security detail were absent on the day he was murdered.
The Justice secretary told a radio interview that there might be potential failures in police intelligence work by the Philippine National Police – Region 7, which may have contributed to the March 4 attack.
“Of the six officers assigned to Gov. Degamo, only one was present that day. Five did not show up. That should be investigated,” Remulla said.
“It’s also a failure of intelligence on the part of the PNP Region 7 regional command. The police assigned to Gov. Degamo should have been providing perimeter security. It’s their job to watch his house. But on that day, they were absent,” Remulla added.
The killing occurred while Degamo was tending to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) at his home in Pamplona municipality.
According to witnesses, heavily-armed suspects wearing camouflage uniforms carried out the attack, resulting in the deaths of Degamo and eight others.
Three suspects, including two former military members, were arrested during pursuit operations.
The murder of Degamo happened 19 days after the Supreme Court declared him winner of the fiercely contested gubernatorial race in his province.
