ONE of the gunmen in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was killed after allegedly engaging cops in an encounter during a hot pursuit operation, is a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA), a military official said on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Joint Task Force Negros Spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito identified the killed suspect as Arnil Labradilla.

Labradilla was killed by the police during the conduct of hot pursuit operations hours following the execution of Degamo in his residence in Pamplona town in the morning of March 4.

Four of the other gunmen, Benjie Rodriguez, Joven Calibjo Javier, Joric Labrador and Osmundo Rivero were also arrested while fleeing.

They are now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, two of them were being considered to be placed under the witness protection program.

Charges of murder and frustrated murder have been filed before the Department of Justice against the four arrested suspects and 12 John Does, which includes five other gunmen and the masterminds. (SunStar Philippines)