Three suspects arrested for killing Philippine governor

Authorities reported on Sunday that three suspects had been detained in connection with the killing of a Filipino province governor and eight other persons, and that a fourth suspect had been killed in a shootout.

In the brazen assault that took place on Saturday in the Philippines' center of sugarcane production, seventeen additional individuals were hurt.

In Pamplona municipality, in the central province of Negros Oriental, at least six armed individuals in military garb opened fire inside the governor's residence.

The most recent victim of a recent wave of attacks on local Philippine politicians was Governor Roel Degamo.

The Philippine Army revealed in a statement that two of the three suspects were former soldiers who had been dishonorably discharged years prior.

According to police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Pelare, a firefight at a plantation on Saturday night resulted in the death of a fourth suspect.

Pelare claimed that the attack involved ten or so people. As ports were shut to stop them from escaping, authorities thought they were still on the island, he claimed.

The previous death toll, which was six, was increased to nine late Saturday, according to authorities. Four others received treatment for minor injuries, while thirteen more were hospitalized for their wounds.

Negros Island, the hub of the nation's sugar industry, is home to both some of the richest landowners and some of the poorest farm laborers in the nation. Negros Oriental is one of the island's two provinces.

Since the general election last year, Degamo, 56, was at least the third politician to be shot in the Philippines.

Degamo had campaigned for President Ferdinand Marcos during Marcos' run for the top job. The Supreme Court declared him last month the legitimate winner of the contest for the Negros Oriental governorship following a recount that unseated his rival, who had previously been proclaimed victor.

Marcos has sent his top authorities, including the police and military commanders, to investigate the "dastardly and horrible" murder of his political buddy.

At a news conference on Sunday, authorities displayed evidence they had obtained from the suspects, such as powerful weapons and camouflage clothing, and they vowed to crack the case.

“We will capture the mastermind, I assure you that,” Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said.