Heightened security in Negros Oriental, nearby areas as manhunt for Degamo slay suspect continues

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) — Local authorities in Negros Oriental and nearby provinces have started implementing additional security measures as they continue to run after the remaining suspects in the killing of Governor Roel Degamo.

In a media briefing on Saturday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Jean Fajardo said the newly-created joint task force — composed of the police, military, and other officials — believes that some of the perpetrators are still in the province.

"'Yung mga malalapit po na mga probinsya ay nag-conduct na rin po sila ng random checkpoints and roadblocks nila," Fajardo told reporters.

[Translation: The nearby provinces have also conducted random checkpoints and roadblocks.]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of the task force, as he pushed to fight crime and impunity on the entire Negros Island.

Marcos also vowed swift justice for the families of Degamo and other victims of the brazen attack last week.

READ: Marcos orders creation of AFP-PNP task force vs Degamo assassins, crimes on Negros Island

Meanwhile, Defense officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will deploy "two brigades and six battalions" that will work with the police in carrying out the chief executive's directive.

"And we will even dig deeper [on] the different killings that happened before," Galvez said in a separate briefing.

"The instruction of the president to me is very clear. One, to get all the 10 suspects. Two, to dismantle all the tentacles of violence here in Negros," he added.

Murder and frustrated murder cases were earlier filed against four arrested suspects and 12 John Does tagged in Degamo's murder.