DOJ Sec. Remulla on Degamo killing: ‘Case closed’
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday deemed as “case closed” the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
“Tapos na po, nakita na natin, kumbaga sa pulis, case closed na ito, prosecution na tayo pagkatapos,” Remulla said during a press conference at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
(This is considered ‘case closed.’ We will proceed with prosecution.)
“But we know who masterminded it — at least two of them — and who did it, yung labing-isang pinakita natin kanina (The 11 individuals we presented earlier.),” he added.
Remulla made the remark as he noted that 11 of the suspects have already been arrested and are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Puzzle ‘almost complete’
Among the 11 suspects is Marvin Halaman Miranda, whom Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said was the “long-time security and bodyguard” of Negros Oriental Representative Arnulfo Teves Jr.
“Marvin Miranda — upon the instruction of a certain ‘Boss Idol,’ ‘Big Boss’ ‘Kalbo’ — was the one who recruited them and the person who provided them with logistical material support during the planning and execution of the assassination plot against Governor Degamo,” Abalos said.
“With the arrest of Marvin Miranda, we are certain that the pieces of the puzzle is almost complete, and we can clearly picture what transpired before, during, and after the brazen attack in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which will eventually help us in unmasking and identifying the main conspirators and masterminds behind the gruesome murder of Governor Degamo and others,” he added.
When asked to confirm whose monikers “Boss Idol” and “Kalbo” are referring to, Remulla said: “Teves… Arnie Teves. Congressman Arnie Teves, Arnulfo Teves.”
Degamo and eight provincial staff members and constituents were killed, while 16 others, including three provincial officials, were wounded in a gun attack in the governor’s residence in Pamplona town last March 4.
