Abalos believes cops did not torture Degamo slay suspects

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Friday that he believes that the police did not torture the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

In an ambush interview, Abalos was asked if he stood by the pronouncement of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that there was no torture, belying the claims of the suspects.

"Yes, I have full belief in the PNP," Abalos told reporters.

Abalos said that the police had arrested the suspects in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

"I would like to emphasize at this point ang nakahuli ay sanib puwersa ha ng military, police, and of course mayroon pang, tumulong na rin bandang huli ang NBI dito," he said.

(I would like to emphasize at this point that it was through the joint effort of the police and military that the suspects were arrested, and of course the NBI also helped later on.)

Abalos expressed confidence that the cases against the suspects would succeed despite the recantation of their testimonies.

He said that aside from testimonies, forensic evidence can be used against them. 

"Huwag kayong mag-alala kasi dalawa ang klaseng ebidensiya: Isa yung direct evidence o testimony at yung tinatawag na circumstantial o yung mga forensics na talagang magli-link sa isang tao," he said.

(You don’t have to worry because there are two kinds of evidence: one is direct evidence or testimony, and the other is circumstantial evidence or forensic evidence that would link a suspect to the crime.)

Abalos said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured him in their meeting on Thursday that the cases against the suspects are strong despite the recantations.

Remulla earlier said Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. appeared to be the "main mastermind" behind the assassination of Degamo, citing testimonies of arrested suspects.

However, the suspects recanted their testimonies and accused the police and military of torture while in their custody.

Osmundo Rivero was the first to retract his testimony. 

He denied knowledge of the murder and its alleged masterminds, Teves and his former bodyguard, Marvin Miranda.

Dahniel Lora, Romel Pattaguan, and Rogelio Antipolo Jr. then recanted their testimonies the next day. Joven Javier followed two days later.

On Tuesday, Winrich Isturis, Eulogia Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez recanted their testimonies. —VBL, GMA Integrated News