MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) – Gunmen in military uniforms fatally shot a governor and five civilians yesterday while the provincial leader was meeting villagers at his home in the central Philippines, in the latest brazen assault on local politicians in the country, police said.
At least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bullet-proof vests alighted from three SUVs and opened fire on Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, hitting him and at least five other people in front of his home in Pamplona town.
The province has a history of violent political rivalries.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the wife of the slain governor, said in a Facebook video the five villagers also died.
A total of 10 suspects were seen fleeing the scene and later abandoned the SUVs, police said.
Police set up security checkpoints and launched a province-wide search for the suspects.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr condemned the attack, which took place as impoverished villagers gathered in front of Degamo’s house to seek medical and other aid.
Marcos said without elaborating authorities gathered “much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing”.
Degamo’s killing underscores that even local politicians are not immune from high-profile gun violence that has persisted despite the government’s pledge to combat it.
