Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) — The widow of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo lambasted Pryde Henry Teves for trying to separate himself from the cases of killings the latter’s family had allegedly ordered in the province when he was the one who benefited from these.
“The way I see it Henry tries to detach himself with what his brother has been doing, what their group has been doing. But ultimately, Henry is the beneficiary of all of these,” Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday.
She was referring to Teves’ brother, suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind behind the killing of the governor.
Both families are known to be political rivals in Negros Oriental.
In February, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Commission on Elections declaring Degamo’s victory and junking the petitions filed by his opponent.
On March 4, Degamo and eight others were assassinated inside the governor’s residence in Barangay San Isidro in Pamplona town.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is leading the hearing on the case and others that happened in Negros Oriental.
Mayor Degamo said during the second day of the hearing on Tuesday that she has a video of her husband saying that the Teves brothers are the “source of threats” to his life.
She said she was also grateful that their camp was given the opportunity to be heard and to be able to shed light on other issues in their province that also involve the Teveses.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said authorities are looking at designating the suspended congressman as a terrorist. The lawmaker continues to refuse to return to the Philippines and face the allegations against him.
Based on information gathered, Mayor Degamo said she is getting a clearer picture of the possible link of the Negros Oriental representative with militant groups.
