President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to identify “political hotspots” in the country in the wake of recent attacks that targeted elective local government officials, the latest of which is Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was gunned down over the weekend.

The President made this remark in a chance interview with the media after the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the Kapatid Angat Lahat for Agriculture Program (KALAP) in Malacañang.

“Well, actually ang sinabi ko sa ating Secretary Abalos and the PNP (Philippine National Police) is to now make an examination kagaya ‘yung ating ginagawa kapag darating ang eleksiyon kung saan ang hotspot,” the President said.

“Sabi ko gawin niyo ulit ngayon – well, don’t think of the election first. But think kung ano ‘yung mga hotspot na mainit na mga lugar at tingnan natin,” the President added.

President Marcos said the investigation on the slay case of the Negros Oriental leader is going well and assured the public that the suspects “cannot go unpunished.”

“So that’s what we have asked them to do. They… So far, maganda naman ang nagiging imbestigasyon. Marami silang nakukuhang information so mabilis naman ang paghuli sa ating mga suspects,” the chief executive said.

“Sa ngayon, mayroon pa rin tayo in hot pursuit kasi mayroon pang – sinara nila ‘yung area and they are conducting what is referred to as a dragnet kung saan dahan-dahan, kung mayroon pa ay iniipit sa isang lugar. So that’s the – that’s what’s happening now,” the President added.

The PNP earlier said it is getting closer to identifying those behind the attack that resulted in the death of Degamo and eight others.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said four suspects have expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators. (PND)