DOJ sets deadline in filing of raps on murder case of Degamo, others

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking to file murder and frustrated murder charges related to the death of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and eight others and the injury sustained by 17 individuals.

“We have set the deadline. We are hoping that given what we have now and at the rate of information coming in that it would be enough to establish necessary cases of nine murders and 17 other frustrated murder cases,” said Remulla told reporters.

Remulla expressed optimism that the mastermind behind the March 4 attack against Degamo and several others would also be included in these charges.

“We hope we can bring this up, and the ends of justice will be met,” he said.

On Thursday, six more suspects underwent inquest proceedings before the DOJ. They are facing several cases of murder and frustrated murder.

All in all, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) already has in its custody 10 suspects, nine of which directly participate in the killing.

The police had already filed murder and frustrated murder cases against the first four other suspects, arrested in a hot pursuit operation immediately after the killing.

Remulla said all the suspects wanted to cooperate with the government investigation.

In an earlier interview, he said he was grateful because it made the government’s work easier.

“We have statements [of the suspects]…, so we expect this to be evaluated properly by the panel of prosecutors, and we expect this to be resolved within the timeline around next week, hopefully, earlier than I said, but that’s the deadline that we want to keep things moving if possible within March,” he added.

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