17 raps filed vs Degamo slay suspects; 13 more cases being studied for filing — DILG
MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen cases have been filed against the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo as 13 more cases are being studied to be lodged against them, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday.
According to DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, those filed against the suspects include eight cases of murder.
“Ang na-i-file na natin [ay] walong kaso of murder, six cases of frustrated murder, isang violation of RA (Republic Act) 10591, and violation of [RA] 9516, dalawa ‘no. A total of 17 cases filed,” Abalos said in a press briefing.
(We have filed eight cases of murder, six cases of frustrated murder, a violation of RA 10591, and two violations of RA 9516.)
RA 10591 is the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, while RA 9516 is the Codifying the Laws on Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives.
READ: Assault rifle used in killing Degamo recovered from suspects
“Meron pang ifa-file. Kinukumpleto lang for filing: isa for murder… nine for frustrated murder, three for attempted murder. For a total of 13 more cases ngayon on the very least na pinag-aaralan here for filing,” he added.
(We are still going to file other cases. We are just completing data: one for murder, nine for frustrated murder, and three for attempted murder, for a total of 13 more cases that are being studied now at the very least for filing.)
Abalos said that there are 27 victims in the killing, including Degamo — nine were killed, 15 were injured, and three others were attempted murder victims.
To date, there are four suspects in the government’s custody. They are Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, and Osmundo Rivero.
A fifth suspect, who was unidentified, was gunned down in a firefight with law enforcers.
Abalos appealed to suspects who are at large to surrender.
“Sa mga ‘di pa nahuhuli, sumuko na kayo. May nag-offer ng reward para sa inyo. Nag-extrajudicial confession na ang mga kasama ninyo. ‘Yung nag-utos sa inyo, iba utak niyan. Baka bandang huli ipapatay pa kayo,” he said.
(To the suspects who are still not arrested, you should surrender. Someone has offered a reward to find you. Other suspects already had an extrajudicial confession against you. The person who ordered you to do the killing has a different way of thinking. In the end, they may order someone to kill you.)
“Pag-isipan n’yo sarili n’yo. Pag-isipan n’yo pamilya n’yo. Mga ibang klase ‘to, walang konsensya ‘to kung pumatay. Nakita n’yo ginawa sa mga walang kalaban-laban na tao. Hindi malayong gawin sa inyo at pamilya n’yo. Pinakamabuti, sumuko na kayo sa amin,” the chief added.
(Think of yourselves. Think of your families. The perpetrators are one of a kind and have no conscience when it comes to killing. You saw what they did to defenseless people. They can do it to you and your family too. The best thing to do is to surrender.)
Abalos stressed that all government agencies are working to resolve the matter.
On March 4, Degamo and eight other individuals were murdered when armed men fired shots at his residence in Pamplona town in Negros Oriental.
