Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — A suspect in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has identified the possible mastermind, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Wednesday.
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“There’s a statement already to that effect that there’s a mastermind, but we have to evaluate it properly. Pero meron na ho akong isang statement na nakita na pointing to a mastermind,” Remulla said.
‘ ‘2’:[Translation: There’s a statement already to that effect that there’ s a mastermind, but we have to evaluate it properly. But I have already seen one statement pointing to a mastermind.]
‘3’:Remulla said there was no mention of a motive yet in the statement, but the suspects claimed they were able to talk to the mastermind through video call.
‘4’:He pointed out that the video call has probative value in the investigation.
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“Alam nyo naman ngayon nag-pandemic we were all on video. We were all speaking on video. Did anybody question why we were on video? Hindi, ‘di ba? Except that we were not physically present. But we were there to deliver a message,” he explained.
‘ ‘6’:[Translation: When the pandemic hit, we were all on video. We were all speaking on video. And nobody questioned why we were on video, right? We were not physically present. But we were there to deliver a message.]
‘7’:Remulla stopped short of naming names and did not disclose other details on the suspects’ statements.
‘8’:He said they would undergo a second round of questioning with their lawyers.
Investigators, meanwhile, are looking at “intense political rivalry” as a possible motive behind the killing, according to PLtCol Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Special Investigation Task Group Degamo.
Since the start of the investigation, among other motives, intense political rivalry is one of directions we are pursuing,” Pelare told CNN Philippines’ Politics As Usual. (link)
Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. — a known political rival of Degamo — has denied his involvement in the killing.
Pelare described the attack against the governor as well-planned. “Most of them are from Mindanao, who went to Negros Oriental to perpetuate this very gruesome crime,” he added.
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Remulla said the four suspects, now detained in Metro Manila, expressed willingness to cooperate.
‘ ’10’:The Department of Justice said it would ask the local court in Negros Oriental to move the case to Metro Manila to prevent any bias or prejudgment. This would be done after charges are filed.
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