Janice Degamo on Teves’ arrest: Jail is for everyone who committed crimes

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 — Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo welcomed the recent arrest of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who faces charges for allegedly masterminding the killing of her husband and nine others.

The widow of Governor Roel Degamo said the arrest has fueled her hopes that they are close to achieving justice.

READ: DOJ confirms Teves’ arrest in East Timor

“All the things that we have been waiting for… it’s happening,” she said over a Philippine Daily Inquirer interview.

“Mas lalo akong naniniwala at tumitibay ‘yung aking paniniwala that justice will be ours,” she added.

(I believe more strongly now that justice will be ours)

She also emphasized that Teves’ capture symbolizes that “jail is for everyone who committed crimes.”

READ: Ex-President Duterte may be arrested as easily as Teves, says Trillanes

“The only thing I would like to happen right now is to see him in jail, because it is a lesson that jail is for everyone who committed crimes. It is not only for the poor, for the underprivileged, for the not-so-connected; it is for everyone,” she stressed.

Last Thursday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the apprehension of Teves in Dili, East Timor, while he was playing at Top Golf Driving Range and Bar.

The former Negros Oriental Congressman, who has been the subject of a red notice from the International Police, is already in the custody of the Timorese Police.

His extradition is being processed by the Philippine Embassy in Dili and the National Central Bureaus in Dili and Manila, the DOJ said.