Negligence on Negros Oriental governor police security – PNP chief

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin said police security was negligent for the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo who was assassinated in broad daylight on Saturday.

“We admit na meron talagang negligence doon sa nangyari na naging lax talaga yung security. [There was some negligence during the incident wherein security became lax],” Azurin said in a Monday press briefing.

“The investigation is ongoing not only on the case sa nangyari kay [on what happened to the] governor but definitely on the administrative aspect din ng kapulisan natin [of our police],” he continued.

Azurin said the police were aware of the threat level on the governor.

“Nagkulang ba tayo sa intel? Nagkulang sa pag-abiso sa mga VIP [very important person] natin considering na alam yung threat level ng governor?” Azurin said during the briefing.

[Translation: Did we lack intel? Did we not warn our VIP enough, considering that we knew the threat level of the governor?]

Gunmen in military uniforms entered the governor’s home while he met constituents on Saturday morning, something Degamo did every weekend. They shot Degamo and eight others dead.

READ: Negros Oriental governor assassinated inside home, 3 suspects arrested

Azurin said police personnel assigned to Degamo should have been stationed outside to screen visitors.

He said he ordered the PNP Command Group to look into the possible reshuffling of police personnel within Negros Oriental.

“Ang importante sa ngayon na hinaharap natin ay maresolba ang kaso at mahuli pa yung mga ibang suspects,” Azurin said.

[Translation: What’s important is we resolve the case and catch the remaining suspects.]

Police arrested four suspects while one was killed in a gunfight with police Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Azurin said the PNP plans to suspend permits to carry firearms in Negros Oriental, and to establish police checkpoints in critical areas.