Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. led the oathtaking of Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes as the new Governor of Negros Oriental and Manuel "Chaco" Sagarbarria as the new Vice Governor of the province. Reyes was previously the Vice Governor while Sagarbarria was a former Board Member.

The oathtaking of Sagarbarria was also attended by House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Negros Oriental 2nd District Rep. Manuel "Chiquiting" Sagarbarria.

The DILG Secretary strongly denounced the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight other victims. He expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and assured them that the government will not stop until justice is served.

The incident has prompted the authorities to launch a joint operation between the police and military forces to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.