“Let us never forget what we are fighting for, for justice, for democracy, for peace, for our very existence.”
This call for justice resonated again on March 4, 2024 on the first death anniversary of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo.
On this date last year, the governor was shot dead at past 9 a.m. inside the Degamo compound in Pamplona town that left eight others dead, and at least 17 others injured.
Degamo was distributing aid on a Saturday morning inside his compound when armed men entered and fired at him that killed and injured other persons.
In a statement on the same day last year, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. condemned the killing and warned the perpetrators.
“I am warning all those involved in this killing: you can run but you cannot hide. We will find you. If you surrender now it will be your best option,” the President stated.
Initially, four suspects were arrested while one other was killed during hot pursuit in Bayawan City.
The suspects were transported to Manila for detention at Camp Crame. Two of them were endorsed to the Department of Justice for evaluation to the witness protection program.
The suspects were charged for multiple murder and frustrated murder, as well as charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Those arrested were identified as Joric Labrador, Joven Aber, Osmundo Rivero, and Benjie Rodriguez. A fifth suspect was reportedly killed during the manhunt.
Labrador, Aber, and Rivero were found to be former members of the military and were discharged dishonorably.
Marvin Miranda, purportedly a long-time aide of then congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. was also arrested for being allegedly the “middleman” in the shooting.
According to the slain governor’s wife, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, in her earlier interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, Miranda was intercepted in 2020 with firearms and bullets.
Miranda’s arrest led to the tagging of Arnie Teves as alleged mastermind.
PRYDE HENRY TEVES
Pryde Henry Teves, ex-Negros Oriental governor, was heard calling on his brother, Arnie, to come home amid investigation into the killing of Degamo and eight others.
Pryde Teves himself is facing controversy after a search of his compound in Barangay Caranoche, Santa Catalina town that yielded firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive device.
Three of his former security personnel were also arrested.
Later on, 10 suspects in the killing of Degamo and eight others have been accounted for, according to a statement issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
ALERT LIST ORDERS AGAINST ARNIE TEVES
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced of two alert list orders issued against Arnie Teves.
The alert list orders restrict the ex-lawmaker’s movement and facilitate his arrest through international cooperation, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
A GMA Integrated News report said that all officers of the Bureau of Immigration, through the orders, were directed to report promptly all information regarding the entry, exit, or attempted entry or exit, of Teves to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Immigration agents were also directed to refer Teves to the PNP or NBI whenever encountered at any port of entry.
Remulla said that the orders were issued pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by a Manila court against Teves and others in September 2023.
In addition, the orders are also pursuant to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)Blue Notice published in February 19, 2024 which included Teves in the list.
A blue notice, according to Interpol, requires member-countries to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.
PASSPORT CANCELLED, DESIGNATED AS TERRORIST
A Manila court ordered the cancellation of Teves’ passport.
Teves has also been designated as a terrorist, along with several others, for alleged killings and harassment in the Province of Negros Oriental.
In August 2023, the House of Representatives expelled Teves for alleged disorderly conduct and his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.
The ex-solon has denied all allegations against him and used social media a couple of times to answer the accusations.
INTERPOL’S RED NOTICE LIST
Remulla confirmed on February 28, 2024 that Arnie Teves has been included in the Red Notice List.
Interpol clarified, though, that a read notice is not an international arrest warrant. A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
In a document obtained by GMA Integrated News, the red notice was issued on February 27, 2024.
It was learned further that in both Interpol notices, Teves is said to be located in Cambodia.
However, according to the report, latest DOJ information said that Teves is still in Timor-Leste.
The expelled lawmaker’s status has been elevated from “suspect” to “Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution."
TEVES’ LAWYER
Arnie Teves’ legal counsel said that his client’s inclusion to Interpol’s red notice list came as no surprise.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, when sought for comment by GMA Integrated News, said that they were not surprised with the inclusion.
Topacio pointed out that a red notice is not mandatory, and that
it is only a request for members of Interpol and international police in the event that should they see this person, there is a warrant against him.
“Ito ay pakiusap lamang sa mga members ng Interpol at international police na kung makikita niyo itong taong ito, ito ay may warrant sa aming jurisdiction baka pwede pakiaresto,” he said.
“Nasa mga authorities pa rin ng gobyernong yun, kung anong gagawin nila with respect to the red notice; ngayon kung may political asylum that maybe an exception to the implementation of the request,” Topacio added.
Meanwhile, the report cited that Topacio declined to comment further on the current whereabouts of Arnie Teves.
MAYOR JANICE DEGAMO
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, in a post said, “your ruthless reign of terror is finally coming to an end. Interpol has answered our prayers and issued a red notice, instructing law enforcement agencies worldwide to hunt you down.”
On February 22, 2024, Mayor Janice mentioned of a medical mission of the Provincial Government in honor of the 1st death anniversary of her husband.
The commemoration opened with a Holy Mass at 7 a.m. on March 4, 2024, a breakfast after the Mass, and a motorcade following the Pamplona-Tanjay-Dumaguete- Bacong- Siaton-route done simultaneously with a medical mission in Barangay Bonawon in Siaton town where the late governor was born and laid to rest.
“The provincial board members of the province will also convene and hold their session for the day at our residence , it'll be a day bustling with activities in honor of my late husband Roel who has served his people for 11 years and died that fateful day on March 4, doing his mandate as provincial governor,” Mayor Janice stated in her post.
