Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 12) — The assault rifle used to gun down Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo was seized from the suspects during the hot pursuit operations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Saturday.
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said the confirmation was based on the results of ballistic analysis and cross-matching examination.
“Maliban dito sa apat na (suspects) under custody ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation)… ‘yung forensic evidence particularly ‘yung isa do’n sa assault rifles na na-recover natin na positive na siyang nagamit do’n sa pagpatay kay Governor Degamo,” Fajardo told reporters.
[Translation: Aside from the four suspects under the custody of the NBI, we also have forensic evidence, particularly one of the assault rifles recovered turned positive as the one used to kill Governor Degamo.]
The Special Investigation Task Force (SITG) is also examining the other firearms used and investigating the \”original owner, seller, and buyer\” of the vehicles used in the assassination, she said.
“Kung paano itong mga sasakyan na ito some of them ‘yung mga plaka ay pinagpalit, some of them are no record sa LTO (Land Transportation Office), maging ‘yung mga baril na nagamit ‘yung iba walang record, bahagi po ‘yan ng ginagawang investigation,” Fajardo said.
[Translation: Authorities are investigating how the plates of some of these vehicles were swapped, some of these have no record at the LTO, even some of the firearms used have no record.]
“Hindi lang po nakatutok ngayon at nagre-rely sa testimonial evidence na ishinare ng apat na suspek, but we are really focusing more dito sa forensic evidence na nakalap ng SITG,” she added.
[Translation: We are not only focusing and relying on the testimonial evidence shared by the four suspects, but we are really focusing more on the forensic evidence collected by the SITG.]
Fajardo also stressed that the rifle used to gun down Degamo was not found during the raids on the houses of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his associates, where the police found several firearms, hand grenades, and ammunition.
Teves, a political rival of Degamo, has denied his involvement in the killing.
Fajardo said the suspects under custody gave \”very, very vital and material\” information, which makes the Department of Justice confident that \”we are nearing to the solution of this case.\”
Meanwhile, local authorities in Negros Oriental and nearby provinces have started implementing additional security measures as they continue to run after the suspects at large.
READ: Heightened security in Negros Oriental, nearby areas as manhunt for Degamo slay suspect continues
Degamo was gunned down inside his residential compound in Brgy. San Isidro in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental on March 4. Eight others were killed.
The PNP said Degamo was in the middle of a meeting with some of his constituents when around 10 armed men entered his compound and opened fire. The shooters were clad in military uniforms and bulletproof vests, and carried long firearms.
