Department of National Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez assured the unwavering support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the special task force created to suppress lawless violence in Negros Oriental.

Galvez, in a statement Saturday night, said the government would use all the information they would gather to give justice to the victims of the 4 March killing of nine people, including Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and wounding of 17 others.

“Under the orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we have organized a joint task force to step up the joint law enforcement operations of the AFP and PNP in Negros to implement the clear directive of the President to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he said, adding that the joint special task force, consists of the AFP and the Philippine National Police.

Galvez said he will be joined by AFP chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino and PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia in supervising the task force that will have a unified command center to be more accessible to civilians.

Designated as task force commander is National Bureau of Investigation chief Medardo de Lemos.

“The joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operations, under the supervision of the inter-agency task force headed by the Secretary (Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos) of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), myself and (Department of Justice) Secretary (Jesus Crispin) Remulla, aim to speed up the suppression of impunity in the entire island, and give justice to the families and loved ones of those who were slain the in the attack against Governor Degamo,” he said.

Galvez, who along with Centino visited the wake of Degamo at the provincial capitol in Dumaguete City on Saturday, met with Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the late governor’s wife.

He assured the families of the slain and wounded victims of swift justice and peace will be attained in the province.

“The President is very firm in his guidance to solve the case as swiftly as possible, and bring these lawless elements to justice,” Galvez said.