Degamo to be laid to rest on March 16

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Security will be tight during the burial of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo on Thursday, March 16.

Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Negros, said that security forces have been deployed in the province since the gun attack that killed Degamo and eight civilians at his residence in Pamplona town on March 4.

Pancito said that checkpoint operations are being conducted in every strategic area in the province.

“We have enough forces on the ground,” he added.

Pancito said that possible threats are being assessed to ensure that no violence will occur.

“There’s no putting our guards down,” he added.

Degamo will be laid to rest in his hometown in Bonawon, Siaton, according to an advisory on the Facebook page of the provincial government.

There will be a mass at 2 p.m. at Bonawon Catholic Parish Church before he will be laid to rest at their residence in Siaton town beside his parents and sister.

Ceres buses will be on standby at the Capitol grounds to provide round-trip transportation for those who would like to attend the burial.

Passengers are requested to ride on the same bus assigned for easier and orderly transport. The bus is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The provincial government will provide a live broadcast of the burial at 1:30 p.m. at the Provincial Capitol Forecourt.

A public viewing was held at the town’s gymnasium on March 13 before his remains were transferred to his residence.

Vice President Sara Duterte visited the wake of Degamo in Siaton town last Tuesday after she attended the 116th Founding Anniversary and Tourism Recovery Jumpstart of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, Governor Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes, who succeeded Degamo’s post, arrived at the Provincial Capitol last Tuesday after coming from a medical leave in Manila.

Reyes, who was Degamo’s running mate in the last election, became emotional when he entered the governor’s office.

He assured all the employees of the provincial government and those hired by the late governor that they will stay and will make no changes to the organizational structure.

He is hopeful that justice will be served and that the province will find peace in the coming days.