Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — Aside from Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., five more suspects have been tagged as respondents in the March 4 killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine other people, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said on Thursday.
Remulla did not name the additional respondents, saying he has not yet been given the details.
“The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) was able to identify them. I have to ask the NBI about it. I haven’t been briefed. I cannot micromanage. Malamang ‘yang mga ‘yan tumulong sa paggawa ng mga krimen. Mga accessory [Most likely, these people helped in the execution of the crimes. They are what we call accessories],” he explained to reporters.
The NBI filed the murder complaints on Wednesday before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The bureau has not released a copy of the documents to the media, but Remulla earlier said Teves was sued for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder in relation to the massacre in Pamplona town.
Teves, who is still at large, has repeatedly denied the accusations against him.
Meanwhile, the DOJ chief maintained that his department and the panel of prosecutors assigned to the case are objective and partial only to justice.
“Prosecutors kami. Can the prosecutors be neutral? Prosecutor, kumakampi ‘yan sa naapi, sa pinatay. Sa pamilya ng mga pinatay, sa pamilya ng namatay, pamilya ng naaapi. We are not neutral, we are impartial,” Remulla said.
[Translation: We’re prosecutors. Can the prosecutors be neutral? Prosecutors side with the oppressed and those killed, and with their families. We are not neutral, we are impartial.]
He also clarified that investigation is still ongoing when it comes to Teves’ brother, former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry.
Remulla said they will not act on anything for political reasons but “to punish crimes based on evidence.”
Authorities earlier seized multiple firearms, live ammunition, and millions’ worth of cash when they raided a sugar mill allegedly owned by Pryde Henry. Several personal belongings of alleged gunmen who assassinated Degamo were also later recovered in the property.
