DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, March 7 (PIA) -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his strong condemnation towards the recent string of killings and attacks targeting government officials. 

Go, accompanied by Philip Salvador and together with Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, and Bong Revilla, visited the wake of the late Gov. Roel Degamo on March 6 in Dumaguete City to personally extend their condolences to Degamo's family.

“Unang una, nakikiramay po ako. Bisaya rin po ako tulad ni Gov. Degamo... si Gov. Degamo po ay isang ally (namin) ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. In fact, siya (Duterte) po ang tumawag kanina at ipinararating nya po ang pakikiramay niya sa pamilya Degamo,” Go shared to the media during their wake visit. 

He called for justice amid the recent string of violence against local officials saying, “katulad po ng ibang kasamahan ko sa Senado, humihingi po kami ng hustisya para sa pagkamatay ni Gov. Degamo at sana po matigil na ito… hindi lang po matigil, dapat po may mapanagot.” 

“Ito pong local officials ay nagtatrabaho po, nagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Sila pa po ang naging biktima ng karumal-dumal na patayan. Nakakalungkot po kaya dapat po ay matigil na po ito at mabigyan ng hustisya,” he added. 

Go also expressed his sympathies to the families of other casualties of the incident and offered to help in any way he can. 

“Kami po ay nandirito at willing po kaming tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya sa mga sibilyan (na nadamay) para mabigyan po ng hustisya,” he said. 

The Senator also expressed his trust and confidence to law enforcers as they pursue the investigation and restore peace and order in the province. 

“I'm sure yung ating militar at kapulisan ay gagawin naman nila ang kanilang trabaho," assured Go.

"Kung ang concern niyo po dito ay peace and order, trabaho po ng pulis at militar 'yan… Restore order para hindi po matakot… not only the officials but especially 'yung mga sibilyan na gusto lang po mabuhay ng tahimik. Malaki po ang tiwala ko sa ating kapulisan at militar,” he added.

Earlier that day, he voiced his support for Senate Resolution No. 517, which was initiated following the assassination of Degamo.

Go said that Degamo died while serving his constituents, commending his dedication to public service.

"Governor Degamo died while literally serving his constituents last Saturday.  The late governor was there, working for the people of Negros Oriental. He was truly a servant of the people," expressed Go in his manifestation during the Senate Plenary Session. 

"Nakikiramay rin ako sa pamilya ng iba pang nasawi sa pangyayaring ito. Katulad rin po ng kanilang gobernador, marami din po sa mga nasawi at nasaktan ay nandoon upang maglingkod sa kapwa nila Pilipino," he added.

Go called on the authorities to pursue and arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

He reiterated that justice must be served for the family and the people of Negros Oriental, and that there is no place for this kind of violence in a democracy such as the Philippines.

"Huwag nating hayaan na manaig ang mga masasamang loob na walang-hiyang pumapatay ng kapwa tao. Ang nangyari po kay governor Degamo ay isa lamang po sa mga dumaraming kaso ng pagpatay ng mga government officials at private individuals sa ating bansa na kapag hindi po naagapan ay baka lumaganap pa," said Go. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)