‘Repent,’ Remulla tells mastermind of Degamo killing

FILE PHOTO: Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the final week of the Lenten Season, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Holy Tuesday encouraged the mastermind in Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo’s murder to atone.

“Repent. It is time for us to look at our sins, to repent,” he said.

Degamo and eight others were killed during the March 4 attack inside the governor’s residence in Pamplona town. The violence also injured several others.

READ: Negros Oriental governor shot dead inside his house

Currently, 11 suspects, including one of the masterminds identified as Marvin Miranda, are in the custody of government authorities. Miranda reportedly recruited people to participate in the brazen daytime assassination of Degamo.

Remulla said Miranda has not signified any intention to cooperate with the government.

The Department of Justice chief also named Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as one of the masterminds in Degamo’s killing. The suspended lawmaker has not returned to the Philippines yet as he left for a medical trip last March.

READ: Remulla: Arnie Teves is ‘executive producer’ if Degamo’s murder is a movie

Teves has denied involvement in Degamo’s murder. He also claimed receiving threats to his life and family after being linked to the case – a reason why he opted to defer his homecoming.

“We will do what can be done with what we have and the information that we have, the evidence that we have. There are cases that we will file that are not yet in the menu of cases that have been filed,” Remulla said.

“There are many cases on the horizon that will make the world very small for him (referring to Teves),” he added.

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