Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. denied his involvement in the killing of provincial governor Roel Degamo.
“Kung may balak man ako o kakayahang gawin ito, eh di sana ginawa ko ito bago mag-eleksyon. Anong motibo ko ngayon na gagawin?” Teves said in a video message Monday.
[Translation: If I had the intention or ability to do this, I would have done it before the election. What is my motive now to do so?]
The lawmaker said he released a video to address people who wanted to know his reaction to the Negros Oriental governor’s killing.
Degamo was assassinated inside his residential compound in Pamplona town on Saturday.
Teves said he and his family had nothing to do with Degamo’s murder as they would not benefit from it.
He said the vice governor would be the one who would take over the post and not his brother who lost in the elections.
To recall, the Supreme Court in February affirmed the poll body’s decision to nullify Henry Teves’ victory in the gubernatorial race.
The court proclaimed Degamo as winner.
“Again, sa lahat ng krimen, ang unang hinahanap ng imbestigador at pulisya ay motibo,” the lawmaker said.
[Translation: Again, in all crimes, the first thing investigators and police look for is motive.]
