Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — Suspects behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said they were made to believe that another person was the target, authorities said on Friday.
“That was part of the revelation of one of the suspects na (that) they were somewhat like misled of the target. That’s part of his extrajudicial confession,” Special Investigation Task Force Degamo spokesperson PLtCol Ace Pelare told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
According to earlier reports, two suspects, who mentioned a certain “Congressman Teves” as mastermind, said they agreed to the assault believing that the target was a drug lord.
Pelare said they forwarded the case to the Department of Justice as they shift to the final stretch of investigation.
He said a portion of the probe looks at Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. as orchestrator of the killing, but he added there may be more than one mastermind.
Teves has denied involvement in the assassination.
On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said three people may be behind Degamo’s killing.
The governor was gunned down in broad daylight at his home on March 4. Eight others were killed.
Meanwhile, the motive was narrowed to political grudge and intense political rivalry, Pelare said.
Authorities are gathering evidence to support the murder and frustrated murder, as well as for illegal possession of firearms and explosive charges filed against the four arrested suspects and 12 others who remain at-large, he added.
Pelare said they believe other suspects are still in Negros Oriental.
