PNP: Former cop played major role in Degamo slay

MANILA. Pieces of evidence seized from Nigel Lagunay Electona, a former cop assigned at Dumaguete City Police Office who was arrested during the service of a search warrant on March 24 at the HDJ Bayawan Agri-ventures Corporation, Tolong compound in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. (Photo from PNP)
MANILA. Pieces of evidence seized from Nigel Lagunay Electona, a former cop assigned at Dumaguete City Police Office who was arrested during the service of a search warrant on March 24 at the HDJ Bayawan Agri-ventures Corporation, Tolong compound in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. (Photo from PNP)

AUTHORITIES arrested a former policeman who allegedly played a vital role in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

In a press conference, Fajardo said Nigel Lagunay Electona, a former cop assigned at Dumaguete City Police Office, was arrested during the service of a search warrant on March 24 at the HDJ Bayawan Agri-ventures Corporation, Tolong compound in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental that was owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves.

Recovered during the March 24 raid in Teves’ compound were various high-powered firearms, including a sniper rifle, ammunition and improvised explosive device that were kept underground and cash amounting almost P19 million.

“Base po sa report na binigay satin ng STG PRO7 (Special task Group Police Regional Office 7) ay malaki po ang naging papel nitong si Mister Nigel dahil lumalabas po sa mga report at impormasyon na previously arrested na mga suspects na accordingly itong si Nigel ay kasama po sa pagpaplano at in fact, siya po ang tumulong dito sa ating mga gunmen para i-casing at surveillance po itong bahay po ni Governor Degamo,” said Fajardo.

(Based on the report given to us by the STG PRO7 (Special Task Group Police Regional Office 7), Nigel played a big role because it appears from the reports and information given by previously arrested suspects, he was involved in the planning and in fact, he is the one who helped gunmen in the casing and surveillance of Governor Degamo's house.)

Fajardo said that on March 26, police conducted a raid by virtue of a search warrant in Electona’s residence in Barangay Villareal in Bayawan City. Seized during the operation were illegal firearms and ammunition, hand grenades, pictures of Degamo and his family, maps, house routes and a photo of the gate of Degamo’s residence.

Fajardo said Electona was arrested due to illegal drugs in 2016 and was dismissed from the police service in 2017. He then started working with Teves and later became the chief security officer of the HDJ Tolong compound.

With the seizure of a large cache of firearms and the arrest of his chief security officer who allegedly played a major role in Degamo’s execution, Fajardo said Teves has a lot to explain.

In an interview with reporters, Teves said he is willing to sign a waiver to open all his bank transactions, emails and phone records in order to clear his name.

“I don’t intend to fight the government. I've always cooperated and I’ve always heeded authorities,” he said.

He appealed for the public to take time to research about him and his public service record and analyze if he has the capability to cause people harm.

Teves is a brother of suspended Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., one of those being “considered” the mastermind in Degamo’s assassination. (SunStar Philippines)

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