4 military men surrender over killings of Gov. Degamo, 8 others

Four more suspects in the March 4 killings of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and eight other persons have surrendered, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Tuesday, March 21.

Remulla said the four suspects “surrendered through the military kasi mga military personnel ito (because they are military personnel). So, they’re now in custody and will be turned over to us tomorrow [Wednesday].”

“We almost have all the people as part of the team that attacked Gov. Degamo and almost all of them are in custody, except for one or two—who we are eyeing to be really involved in the plan,” Remulla told journalists.

Remulla’s revelation came after the Special Task Force Degamo announced on Monday, March 20, the arrest of a discharged soldier who is a “major player” in the death of Degamo.

While Remulla did not identify the “major player,” he said the discharged soldier gave “very critical information” including the identities of the masterminds and other persons involved.

Once the four new suspects are turned over, that would bring to eight the number of suspects in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Remulla, however, said he has no information yet on the details of the participation of the four soldier-suspects.

Meanwhile, Remulla revealed that Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. sent him a text message on Monday.

“He wants to talk to me but I haven’t given an answer because we’re still busy doing what we’re doing. I don’t want it to distract me on what I have to do first,” Remulla said.

He pointed out that if ever he agrees to talk to Teves, he wants other people present during the conversation.

“I don’t want to speak to somebody na walang present na ibang tao (without other people present) because I don’t want words twisted. So, if I talk to him, it would be in front of other people,” he stressed.

He said he has no knowledge where Teves is right now or whether the legislator would return to the country.

Teves has been tagged in the killing of Degamo. His camp disclosed that the legislator is hesitant to return to the Philippines due to safety concerns.

The Negros Oriental congressman has been charged in seven illegal possession of firearms and explosives complaints and in the deaths of three persons in 2019. But another illegal possession of firearms and explosive charge was dismissed by the DOJ during inquest.

Teves’ authority to travel abroad expired on March 9. He had sought a two-month extension of his leave of absence, but it has not been acted upon.

Degamo’s widow, Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona town, has sought the expulsion of Teves as a member of the House of Representatives.