Manila court issues gag order in Degamo murder case

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 — The Manila Regional Trial Court has issued a gag order prohibiting all parties in the murder case of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo from discussing the case in public.

Degamo and nine others were killed in a March 4, 2023 attack. Expelled Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves and several others are facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder.

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“So, we are not allowed anymore to mention or discuss matters that go into the merits of the case. Ang amin lang, we trust and respect that decision dahil alam naman natin na ang tamang proseso ay dumaan talaga sa Korte ang lahat,” Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV told reporters Wednesday.

(For us, we trust and respect that decision because we know that the correct process is for everything to go through the Court.)

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Before Degamo was killed, Teves was out of the country for medical reasons. However, he has refused to return, citing a threat to his security. He then moved to Timor Leste, where he sought asylum.

After an investigation by the Philippine authorities, he was identified as the brains behind the killing of Degamo. A warrant of arrest was issued, as well as his inclusion into Interpol’s Red Notice.

He was arrested in Timor Leste but was released under strict monitoring by the Timor Leste police. He is currently fighting the government’s extradition request.

In addition to Teves, the 11 other co-accused are Marvin Miranda, Rogelio Antipolo Jr., Rommel Pattaguan, Winrich Isturis, John Louie Gonyon, Dahniel Lora, Eulogio Gonyon Jr., Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, and Jhudiel Rivero.

Teves was also designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, and his assets in the Philippines had been ordered frozen.

He is also facing murder charges for the deaths of three persons in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Clavano said the gag order is a welcome development for them.

“Sumasagot lang kami sa mga propaganda at fake news. We would rather do this behind closed doors dahil napaka sensitive po ng mga operational details nito,” Clavano said.

(We are just responding to the propaganda and fake news. We would rather do this behind closed doors because the operational details are very sensitive.)

He said the Court’s order is “very prudent and diligent” as the battle should not be on social media but on “the legal side of things, which is in court.”