Pamplona massacre

The Pamplona massacre was a mass shooting and assassination incident that took place at Pamplona, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. On March 4, 2023, at approximately 9:36 A.M. (PhST), a group of former members of the Philippine military stormed the residence of Roel Degamo, the governor of Negros Oriental, in Pamplona and killed Degamo, the target, as well as nine others. The attack happened during the distribution of aid to the local beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Degamo was rushed to a nearby provincial hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:41 A.M. (PhST).

An investigation was launched by Philippine authorities after the attack. Politics was considered to be the primary motive behind the attack, as Degamo was involved in a contested May 2022 gubernatorial election which saw him assuming the office for a fourth term after winning an electoral protest against Pryde Henry Teves, who was proclaimed winner of the elections. Eleven suspects were arrested by the police in multiple operations across the province. Two of the suspects named a certain 'Cong Teves' as the mastermind in an ambush interview with the media. Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was abroad during the attack, was suspended and later expelled by the House of Representatives following his failure to return to the country to face investigation. The Philippine Senate also launched an inquiry regarding the incident, and invited the representative via teleconferencing but ultimately withdrew due to legal uncertainties. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla considers the representative to be the 'highest mastermind' of the attack.