4 more Degamo slay suspects give up

Four more suspects, also military personnel, who were allegedly involved in the March 4 killings of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and eight other persons, have surrendered, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said yesterday.

“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 the other day 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.

He said the four more suspects “surrendered through the military kasi mga military personnel ito (because they are military personnel). So, they’re now in custody already and will be turned over to us tomorrow (Wednesday, March 22),” he said.

With the turnover of the four more suspects, there would be eight suspects who would be 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 additional suspects.

Meanwhile, Remulla revealed that embattled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A Teves Jr.sent him a text message last 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 nawalang present naibangtao because I don’t want words twisted. So if I talked to him, it would be in front of other people,” he stressed.

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

Teves has been tagged in the killing of Degamo. His camp disclosed the legislator’s hesitancy to return to the Philippines due to safety concerns.

Teves has also been charged in seven more illegal possession of firearms and explosive cases and in the deaths of three persons in 2019. One of Teves’ illegal possession of firearms and explosive charge had been dismissed by the DOJ during inquest.

Teves’ travel abroad expired last March 9. He had sought a two-month extension of his leave of absence.

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