Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, March 13, that he hopes the Joint Task Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police is able to apprehend all of the suspects in the Pamplona massacre soon, as their ongoing operations could affect tourism.
During the weekend hundreds of soldiers were deployed and numerous checkpoints were set up, especially in the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, as government stepped up efforts to arrest the suspects in the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona on March 4.
So far four suspects have been arrested and one was killed by pursuing law enforcers. More security checkpoints are not good for tourism, especially for foreigners, Lacson said.
“The earlier that government can apprehend all the suspects the better for the island, specifically for Negros Oriental”, he said.
Lacson said he could not say that tourists bound from Negros Oriental would instead opt to come to Negros Occidental, the province just has to be prepared.
Meanwhile, Gov. Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes reported to the Negros Oriental Capitol in Dumaguete City for the first time on Monday since he was named successor to Degamo.
Reyes said he would continue the projects started by Degamo.*