Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday assured that there would be no sacred cows in the government’s fight against criminality as law enforcement agencies are reportedly closing in on the brains behind the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

“Malaking tao man o may impluwensiya, hahabulin namin kayo at papanagutin sa mga kasalanan ninyo (Whether they are big or influential persons, we will run after you and will be held accountable for your crimes),” Romualdez said in a statement.

“Let me reiterate the warning of President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) to criminals: you can run but you can’t hide,” he said.

He said law enforcement agencies are now hot on the trail of the person who masterminded the assassination and assured the people of Negros Oriental that the brains would surely rot in jail.

“May mga importanteng leads na ang mga imbestigador kung sino ang mastermind ng krimen na ito (Investigators now have important leads on who masterminded the crime). They are working round the clock at the moment for case buildup,” he said.

In the meantime, the House leader noted that peace has already been restored in Negros Oriental.

“We have restored peace and order in Negros Oriental. The local government is fully functional and in control of the situation with the swearing-in of the new governor and vice-governor,” he said.

On Sunday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos ensured that Degamo’s death has not left a leadership vacuum in the province by swearing in Vice Gov. Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes as governor and 1st Board Member Manuel Sagarbarria as vice governor.

Romualdez said the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation and other concerned agencies “are tasked to provide all assistance necessary for the new officials to carry out their functions.”

The Speaker earlier flew to Negros Oriental to condole with the late governor’s family, friends and constituents. (PNA)

Photo credit: House of Representatives Media Affairs