Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) – Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. appears to be the main mastermind and “executive producer” behind the assassination of Roel Degamo, while the “director” is already under arrest, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday.
When asked in an interview if Teves was the main mastermind, Remulla said “He is, he appears to be.”
He also identified the key suspect earlier arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation as former army reservist Marvin Miranda and likewise tagged him as a mastermind in the slay.
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Reporters asked if Teves and Miranda were connected. Remulla responded, “I think there is a connection, a very strong connection.”
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos revealed in a Monday press conference that Miranda was a long-time bodyguard of Teves.
Furthermore, Abalos said that Miranda had a criminal record — he was arrested on June 29, 2020 for illegal possession of firearms. “He pleaded guilty to a lesser offense and was sentenced to one to two years imprisonment.”
Remulla likened Teves’ and Miranda’s involvement in the assassination to movie production roles.
“Kumbaga sa sine, siya [Miranda] yung direktor at casting director. Hindi lang ito sine kasi totoo nangyari ito eh. While Congressman Teves is the executive producer of the ano [assassination],” Remulla said.
[Translation: Like in movies, Miranda is the director and casting director. But this isn’t just a movie because this really happened. While Teves is the executive producer of the killing.]
Teves funded the planning and the firearms used during the Degamo killing while Miranda recruited the gunmen, Remulla alleged.
According to Abalos, the 11 gunmen under NBI custody also confessed that Miranda was given instructions by someone known to them as “boss idol,” “big boss,” and “kalbo [bald].”
Upon clarification from reporters, Remulla claimed that the individual instructing Miranda was Teves.
