The slain suspect in the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others was a former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), according to the Special Joint Task Force Negros.

Authorities identified the slain suspect as Arnil Labradilla of Sitio Awang, Barangay Atotes in Bindoy Town, Negros Oriental.

Police Maj. Cenon Pancito III, task force spokesperson, said Labradilla was identified based on information provided by other suspects apprehended during military and police pursuit operations hours after the attack.

He was killed after allegedly resisting arrest and engaging in a shootout with pursuing troops hours after at least ten gunmen barged into the Degamo residential compound in Pamplona town and shot the governor, as well as several people who had come to seek help.

Pancito stated that four of the six identified suspects are already in the custody of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and have cooperated with authorities.

The fifth suspect, who surrendered, is still being investigated, while the body of the slain former rebel was returned to his hometown after his parents claimed it.