Suspect in Degamo slay also part of 2 failed assassination attempts vs. gov —Remulla

One suspect in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was also involved in two failed assassination attempts against him, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday. 

Remulla said the suspect was among the “major players” in the killing.

“That person was involved not only in the last assassination attempt he succeeded but in two other failed assassination attempts on Governor Degamo,” Remulla said in an interview on CNN.

According to the Justice secretary, Degamo was the object of an assassination plan since December 2022. He said the suspects were unable to kill him due to “several factors they could not control.”

“One thing for sure is that the third one, which succeeded, is just part of a grand plan — it’s really a plan to assassinate Governor Degamo from the very beginning,” Remulla said.

In an ambush interview, Remulla said the first assassination attempt involved the use of a rifle grenade and the other was through a sniper.

"Yung isa, 'yung sa rifle grenade, they had a problem with distances… baka— it might backlash on them if they use the grenade,” Remulla said.

"And 'yung assassination naman through a marksman, through a rifle, it did not happen kasi hazy. Naghahamog yata ‘yung ano, hindi clear view kaya hindi natuloy," he added. 

(The one involving the rifle grenade did not push through because they had a problem with distances. They thought it might backlash on them if they use the grenade. The assassination through a marksman, meanwhile, did not happen because they didn't have a clear view.)

Meanwhile, he said some details in the suspects’ statements were not perfectly in line with each other.

“But this is because this is according to their recollection… But most of them are… within the same plane, in the same reality, that happened on that day,” Remulla said.

The Justice secretary said they are eyeing filing charges against the 11 suspects under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation by Thursday or Friday.

Rep. Arnie Teves

He reiterated that Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. — who is being linked to the assassination of the governor — will not be part of the respondents.

“His being named in the case would depend on the decision of the panel of prosecutors if it is timely already to file a case against him based on the evidence we have on hand,” Remulla said.

The Justice secretary, however, said there is already sufficient direct evidence pointing to Teves.

“Meron na… Meron na rin. We just have to weigh it properly together. Sila-sila mag-uusap sila. Isang example diyan, saan-saan ba nagkita-kita itong mga taong ito at saan ba sila tumira? Ano ba ang ginamit nilang safehouse? Sino ba ang may-ari? Based on that puwede na talaga siya i-indict,” he said.

(There is [sufficient evidence]. We just have to weigh it properly together... For instance , where did these people meet and stay? What safehouse did they use? Who owns it? Based on that, he can be indicted.)

“But we have— still looking at the other evidence that is there for us to be able to actually say these are open closed case… At saka meron pa kaming hinahanap na tao na makakatulong pa para maisarado ang buong kaso (We are still looking for one person who will lead to the closing of the case),” he added.

Remulla said Teves’ camp may not own the safehouse in name but it was “definitely” controlled by them.

“Owned or controlled by them, you can say. Owned or controlled by them. They may not own it by name, but controlled by them definitely, yes. Alam ng Negros ‘yan kung sino may control ng lugar na ‘yan (Those from Negros know who has control in that area),” he said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the camp of Teves but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after an attack at the governor’s home on March 4. —KG/KBK, GMA Integrated News