Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 31) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a key suspect in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday.
The suspect — believed to be one of the masterminds — was trying to flee the province, according to Remulla.
The secretary also said the person, whose identity has yet to be divulged, has been mentioned by the first batch of suspects arrested.
“Talagang siya yung pinapahanap namin (We were really looking for that person). We wanted him from day one as a suspect we want to be caught,” Remulla told reporters.
The suspect will be transferred to the NBI, where he will be asked for his statement.
With this, Remulla said the Degamo case is now “99% solved.”
Teves is also being considered by the Department of Justice as one of the suspected masterminds behind the killing.
However, the lawyer of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. described Remulla’s claim as premature.
“With all due respect to Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, 99% solved? It is never 99%, 100%, 70%, 50% solved at this stage, masyadong maaga [it’s too early],” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ head legal counsel said on Saturday.
“Kung sinabi ni Remulla na 99% solved dahil nahuli yung isang mastermind kahapon, ibig ba niya sabihin na 1% lang si Teves?” he added.
[Translation: If Remulla said that the case was 99% solved because one mastermind was caught, does he mean that Teves is only 1% of the case?]
Topacio argued that Teves has been put through trial by public opinion and that his right to due process has been violated.
Degamo and some of his constituents were shot and killed inside his compound on March 4. Murder and other complaints have been filed by authorities against the arrested suspects.Remulla said they are still hunting down two to three more masterminds.
