Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was announced dead following an attack by gunmen at his house Saturday morning. A live video on Facebook that featured his wife Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo and their three sons made a statement. “Governor Roel was pronounced dead at 11:41 am today. Aming panawagan sa National Government, Governor Degamo did not deserve that kind of death. He was serving his constituents on a Saturday along with his department heads. There were five others who died with him who were there to ask for help,” Mayor Janice said.

The latest report by the Police Regional Office in Region 7 (PRO-7) said that the Philippine National Police created a regional task group to investigate the incident. They also said that there were more or less 10 suspects in the case.

“Reports from Investigation-On-Case indicate that 6 suspects, wearing pixelized uniform with long firearms, perpetuated the shooting and immediately fled on board two SUVs. Subsequently, three getaway vehicles namely, one Mitsubishi Pajero with plate number NQZ 735, one Izuzu pick up color green with plate number GRY 162 and one Mitsubishi Montero Color Black with plate number YAP 163 were found abandoned in Brgy Kansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental,” the PRO-7 said in its Facebook page.

“More or less, 10 suspects were seen fleeing from the scene and are now being pursued by joint security forces. As to the condition of the victims, we will await for the updates to be given by the families of the victims and hospital authorities as we hope that the victims are safe from danger,” it added.