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DUMAGUETE CITY – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo criticized his detractors on Thursday for what he believes is a political propaganda to discredit him and put his life at risk, even as he expressed confidence this will not affect his candidacy for reelection in the May 13 polls.

At a hastily called for press conference at the Capitol, the incumbent governor disclosed what he described as the latest round of attacks against him that will put him in a tight spot either with the government’s uniformed services or with the New People’s Army (NPA).

“The one who thought of this propaganda may have in mind that if I say I am an NPA supporter, which I am not, the police and military will go after my head. And if I say I give my full support to the military, which I truly do, the NPA will punish me,” he said.

Degamo disclosed that on Wednesday, tarpaulins that bore two pictures of him with that of a young girl, Myles Albasin, who was previously arrested in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, with five others for being suspected NPA members, were put up across the province.

Showing one such tarpaulin to the media, he pointed out that the campaign material is deliberately meant to discredit him as it raises a question on whether he was pro-government or for the NPA.

He explained that the pictures, which showed him and the girl talking in a congenial manner, were taken during his visit to the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center (NODRC) several months ago for a medical mission.

According to him, he told the girl upon learning she was an alleged NPA member, not to carry guns but books instead.

Degamo reiterated that he is very much against the NPA and that he even had repeatedly said he wants them out of the province and has, in fact, supported the police and the military for so long a time in their anti-insurgency campaigns.

“Throughout the years of my incumbency, my support to the PNP and the AFP has been unequivocal,” he pointed out.

While not mentioning names, the governor said that those in the opposition are allegedly behind this and are taking steps to ruin his reputation as they seek to edge him out of office.

Degamo admitted fearing for his life because he believes that this is the work of political candidates who cannot accept defeat.

“The only way to win is to kill me,” he said.

“This is a prelude to a more disturbing scenario of eliminating me by assassination; hence, they shall have an easy way to the Capitol,” he added.

He said the putting up of the tarpaulins has been reported to the police even as he admitted beefing up security.

“Let us play the game of politics fair and square,” Degamo said, addressing his political opponents and their supporters.

“We enter the arena as hopeful combatants; let us leave it with the heart of a warrior – win or lose,” he concluded. (PNA)

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