Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — The joint task force formed to investigate the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo may file the complaints against the alleged masterminds in a few weeks, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday.
“Let’s see, probably in a week or two,” DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos told CNN Philippines’ The Source. On March 27, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said complaints may be filed that week against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, who he said appears to have orchestrated the crime. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/27/more-complaints-vs-Degamo-slay-suspects.html
READ: Remulla on Degamo assassination: ‘Case closed’
So far, murder and other complaints were filed against the 11 arrested suspects. Meanwhile, state prosecutors will formally include as co-accused in the case ex-army reservist Marvin Miranda, whom they claim worked with Teves to kill the governor.
Abalos said authorities are now focused on catching other alleged masterminds. More pieces of evidence are also being gathered to make sure these are “airtight” once the case is heard before the court, he added. “Ang ebidensyang dapat ilatag mo should be really airtight and stand not only ‘yung probable cause sa fiscal dahil hanggang fiscal ka lang non,” he noted.[Translation: The evidence you should present should be really airtight and can stand not only the probable cause in the fiscal because otherwise you cannot pass through the fiscal.] If proven that Teves is guilty of the crime, Abalos said international police may be tapped or the lawmaker’s passport may be revoked if he still refuses to return to the Philippines. Teves flew to the United States late-February for medical purposes.
