Authorities recovered a cache of firearms and explosives believed to have been used in the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo in Barangay Cansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, on Sunday.
In a press conference, Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) for Degamo spokesperson Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare stated that the firearms cache was discovered around 1:30 a.m. near the abandoned vehicles used by the suspects.
Five assault (5.56mm) rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with five rounds of ammunition, four bandliers loaded with plates, a rifle case, two combat uniforms, a grey sweatshirt, and three pairs of combat boots were among the items recovered.
Meanwhile, around 9 p.m., a fourth suspect was killed in an encounter on Saturday, also in Barangay Cansumalig, after he refused to surrender and exchanged gunfire with authorities.
His true identity has yet to be determined.
Joric Labrador, 50, married, of Cagayan de Oro City; Joven Aber, 42, married, of Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental; and Benjie Rodriguez, 45, married, of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental, were arrested hours after the Saturday morning assault at the governor's house in Pamplona town.
All three are former Army soldiers, who were dishonorably discharged for alleged drug use and being absent without official leave, while all three were corporals, with one being a former Scout Ranger trained in anti-guerrilla jungle warfare, raids, ambushes, close-quarters combat, urban warfare, and sabotage.
Meanwhile, a command conference has been scheduled for Sunday morning at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office with National Security Adviser Eduardo Ao, Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Secretary of National Defense Benjamin Abalos Jr., Carlito Galvez Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Andres Centino, and Chief of the Philippine National Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., among others.
