Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25) — Suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo named the Teves brothers as the main orchestrators of the crime, the camp of the slain official said Tuesday.
“Ang masterminds dito ang sinasabi nila yung magkapatid, si Congressman (Arnolfo) Teves at tsaka si (former Negros Oriental Gov.) Henry Teves,” Levi Baligod, lawyer of the Degamo family, told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
[Translation: They said the masterminds here are the brothers Congressman Teves and Henry Teves.]
He noted that one of the suspects who tagged the Teves siblings was Nijel Electona, the head of security of HDJ Bayawan Agri-Ventures Corporation partly owned by former Gov. Teves. He was in charge of providing the safe house, food, and cash the shooters needed, Baligod said.
The counsel noted they have also identified an individual who deployed informants to work inside the Degamo household.
Another suspect arrested was Marvin Miranda who was allegedly tasked to purchase the firearms and recruit the assassination team.
Baligod said Miranda has been refusing to talk to authorities.
Both the Teveses have denied their alleged involvement in the assassination of Degamo.
Suspended Rep. Teves, who was named as the “executive producer” of the crime, has been refusing to return to the country due to security threats after flying to the United States for medical purposes. His travel authority from the House of Representatives expired on March 9.
Meanwhile, former Gov. Teves has been attending the committee hearings being conducted by the Senate regarding Degamo’s death and of other killings in Negros Oriental.
In total, 10 suspects are under the authorities’ custody. One suspect was killed in a firefight with a police team that was attempting to arrest him.
The six already underwent inquest proceedings, while the four recently went through preliminary investigation, Baligod said.
