Resolution Condemning the Spate of Killings of and Attacks against Government Officials and Private Persons, and Urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Other Law Enforcement Agencies to Undertake the Necessary Steps in Ensuring the Safety of All

March 6, 2023

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 48

RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE SPATE OF KILLINGS OF AND ATTACKS AGAINST GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND PRIVATE PERSONS, AND URGING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF ALL

WHEREAS, on 4 March 2023, at about 9:30 a.m., men wearing pixelized uniforms and armed with long firearms killed Governor Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental in broad daylight while he was attending to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at his home in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. During the ambush, eight (8) individuals were not spared and were also killed;

WHEREAS, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the suspects escaped using three (3) vehicles identified as a Mitsubishi Pajero, a green Isuzu pickup, and a black Mitsubishi Montero with plate numbers NQZ 735, GRY 162, and YAP 163, respectively;

WHEREAS, the killing of Governor Degamo was preceded by ambushes executed from the 17th to 22nd of February 2023 in places where PNP or AFP presence is perceived to be weak by the assailants, resulting in injury or death of at least three (3) local executives and their companions;

WHEREAS, on 17 February 2023, Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur was shot at and wounded in Maguing, Lanao del Sur resulting to the death of four (4) of his security personnel, including three (3) police officers. At present, the PNP has formally filed charges against three (3) suspects at the Marawi City Regional Trial Court;

WHEREAS, on 19 February 2023, Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Appari, Cagayan and five (5) other persons travelling with him were killed in a highway ambush in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya at around 8:45 a.m.;

WHEREAS, on 22 February 2023, Mayor Ohto Montawal of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao was injured in an ambush along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, sustaining a gunshot wound on his hip and left arm; DETACa

WHEREAS, in addition to the foregoing, former local executives were not spared and were attacked in 2022;

WHEREAS, on 22 July 2022, former Vice Mayor Danilo Amat of Dolores, Quezon was ambushed while he was driving in San Pablo City, Laguna;

WHEREAS, on 24 July 2022, former Mayor Rose Furigay of Lamitan City, Basilan and two (2) others were killed at the Ateneo de Manila University before the conduct of a graduation ceremony;

WHEREAS, on 12 August 2022, former Vice Mayor Romeo Sulit of Lobo, Batangas was attacked and killed while he was delivering a speech at a birthday party;

WHEREAS, on 3 October 2022, former Vice Mayor Narciso Amansec of Dipaculao, Aurora and two (2) others were ambushed while traveling;

WHEREAS, on 7 October 2022, former Mayor Miguel Abaigar Jr. of Calbiga, Samar was shot at the back while riding his bicycle;

WHEREAS, condemning the recent attacks against elected local government officials, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) stated that "[i]t is deeply concerning and reprehensible that an individual or a group would attempt to harm an elected representative of the people who has a duty to serve and protect the community" and that "such an act goes against democracy, rule of law, and basic human decency." Furthermore, it strongly condemns the killing of Governor Degamo, and called for all perpetrators to be held accountable at the soonest possible time;

WHEREAS, on 9 January 2023, the PNP released a statement in a Press Briefing, stating that 105,568 crime incidents were recorded from July 2022 to 7 January 2023, with 57,103 in Luzon, 21,421 in Visayas, and 27,044 incidents in Mindanao, and identified theft, rape, and robbery as the most prevalent crimes;

WHEREAS, on 7 February 2023, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released its 2023 Survey Review conducted from 10 to 14 December 2022 with 1,200 adult respondents, which survey showed that 60% of the respondents are "afraid that robbers might break into their houses" and 50% are "afraid to walk the streets at night because it is not safe";

WHEREAS, as "the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy," injustice and violence do not have a place in any civilized society, and no cause justifies brutalities against the lives of all persons; HEITAD

WHEREAS, the Senate of the Philippines, in the strongest sense, urges the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to exert all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice not only for the sake of all victims and their families, but also to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times for an orderly and peaceful society: Now, therefore, be it.

Resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, To condemn the spate of killings of and attacks against government officials and private persons, and to urge the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to undertake the necessary steps in ensuring the safety of all. aDSIHc

Adopted,

(SGD.) JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2023.

(SGD.) RENATO N. BANTUG JR.Secretary of the Senate