Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) — The DNA samples obtained by authorities at the crime scene matched those from four suspects behind the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the counsel of the Degamo family said Tuesday.
Atty. Levito Baligod said the samples matched the DNA of Rogelio Antipolo, John Louie Gonyon, Osmundo Rivero, and Winrich Isturis.
The lawyer explained that the samples obtained from the late governor’s compound were matched with those from the shooters’ vehicle.
“If you can recall, some of the shooters sustained gunshot wounds also at may mga dugo na naiwan doon a compound. So nakuha ng mga investigators yung mga samples ng dugo and minatch nila sa ibang specimens na na-recover sa sasakyan,” said Baligod in a press briefing.
[Translation: If you can recall, some of the shooters sustained gunshot wounds also and there were bloodstains in the compound. So the investigators were able to get the blood samples and they matched it with the specimens found from the vehicle.]
For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the DNA results are vital to the case.
“‘Yung DNA ‘yan pinapakita may ibang mga ebidensya bukod sa mga salita. Kahit sabihin nila hindi sila ‘yung naroon sa patayan, ‘yung dugo nila naroon sa patayan. Ano ibig sabihin nun? Nandoon sila sa lugar,” he said.
[Translation: The DNA is another evidence aside from the statements. Even though they deny that they were present at the crime scene, their bloodstains were found there. What does it mean? They were present at the crime scene.]
Meanwhile, embattled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio again failed to attend the preliminary investigation on Tuesday on Degamo’s killing. Ten of 11 other suspects in the case attended the proceeding.
But Remulla said Teves and his legal team will have another chance to attend the investigation on June 27.
“‘Pag di nagpakita sa 27 ipaglalaban na marahil ng NBI na ituloy ang kaso sa korte dahil ayaw ni Teves humarap. Di igagalang proseso sa DOJ, sabihin ng NBI dalhin na lang sa korte,” he said.
[Translation: The NBI will already go to the court if Teves will not show up on the 27th. If they don’t respect the DOJ’s processes, then the NBI will be forced to go to court.]
With reports from CNN Philippines senior correspondent Anjo Alimario
