Murder, frustrated murder raps filed vs 6 more suspects in Degamo killing

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the widow of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, let her emotions out before the coffin containing her husband’s body was buried at the family compound in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton town on March 16, 2023. (FERDINAND EDRALIN / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

MANILA, Philippines–Six more suspects who recently surrendered are now facing complaints for murder, frustrated and attempted murder for the death of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others as well for the injuries sustained by more than 10 individuals.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said that aside from the five suspects mentioned Wednesday, another suspect has recently surrendered.

“There were six brought for an inquest. The five were those announced by the Secretaries in the press conference, and there is one more,” Clavano said, making the total number of suspects under the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) custody already 10.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said all the suspects were willing to testify. But they still have to evaluate their testimonies and degree of participation in the crime to determine who is qualified to become a government witness.

“It’s very hard to know if they will be under the Witness Protection Program later because we cannot discharge anybody as a state witness at this point in time because we are still getting the whole story straight,” Remulla told reporters.

But the DOJ chief assured that the government would protect the suspects’ families.

The DOJ has already filed murder and frustrated murder charges against the first batch of suspects before a court in Negros Oriental.

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