Remulla: 5 to 6 people conspired in Degamo slay

Authorities are looking into five to six “direct conspirators’ in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said on Wednesday.

At a press conference of Special Task Force Degamo, Remulla was asked how many suspects authorities are still looking for as 10 suspects are already accounted for.

“Yung mga direct conspirators? Siguro may mga (Perhaps around) five to six people more who may have something to do with the conspiracy to commit this murder,” he said.

“Kasi kung makikita niyo (If you noticed), planned ito, it's a planned attack which was executed with military precision by former military people. At saka it is a very sophisticated operation that will not happen without the cooperation of many people,” he added.

“We now have in our custody 10 persons. Nine of whom participated directly in the attack against Degamo.”

Remulla said authorities are now gathering statements from the suspects about their role in the killing and he is expecting a lot of revelations that will point to the masterminds.

“We expect that the evidence will turn up already against the masterminds in a few days. We believe it would be a good time to name the masterminds after we have spoken to the nine suspects,” he said.

Remulla said they are targeting to finish the questioning of suspects on Saturday.

According to Remulla, more cases will be filed in the next few days.

On March 4, Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured in the attack that was pulled off while the governor was distributing aid to his constituents at his residence in Pamplona. 

Joric Labrador, one of the arrested suspects, has identified a certain "Marvin" as the one who recruited them to conduct the assassination. He said they were told by Marvin that the order came from "Cong Teves.”

Remulla on Tuesday said that he got a text message from Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves, who is being linked to the killing. Remulla, however, did not specify details about the text and added that he did not reply. 

Teves had denied his involvement in the killing. On Tuesday, he released a video asking for fairness and claiming that he was also a "victim". 

The lawmaker has yet to return to the Philippines from a trip to the U.S. and is asking House leadership for a two-month leave due to supposed security threats. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, on Tuesday said there's no threat against Teves —VAL, GMA Integrated News