JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, April 3, 2023, directly named suspended Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. as the mastermind and the person who funded the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
“Kung sa sine natin titignan ito, analogy to a movie, si Marvin (Halaman Miranda) was the director, producer of the props and casting director, siya nag-recruit ng tao, si Congressman Teves was the producer, or executive producer of the whole production, ang problema lang hindi sine, totoo ang nangyari, pinatay nila si Governor Degamo,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.
(If we look at this in a movie perspective, Marvin (Halaman Miranda) was the director, producer of the props, and casting director. He recruited people, while Congressman Teves was the producer or executive producer of the whole production. The only problem is that this is not a movie, it really happened, they killed Governor Degamo.)
Remulla made the statement as the Special Task Force (STF) Degamo announced the arrest of Miranda on Friday, March 31, in Barangay Mayabay, Barbaza, Antique.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Miranda is the “missing vital link” and “one of the main conspirators” behind the assassination of Degamo based on the testimonies of the other suspects of the killing who were either arrested or surrendered.
Abalos said Miranda is a long-time bodyguard of Teves who he refers to as “boss idol,” “big boss” and “kalbo.”
He said Miranda, upon the instruction of Teves, recruited and provided material support for the execution of Degamo.
In 2020, Degamo revealed a plot to kill him and his wife which was foiled after the arrest of three suspects in Malay, Aklan, one of whom, according to police reports, was Miranda.
Miranda pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and was sentenced to one to two years of imprisonment and was also fined P10,000.
On March 26, the Special Investigation Task Group of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas raided Miranda’s house in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental where they recovered illegal firearms and ammunition, a hand grenade, and photos of Degamo, his family, as well as their residence.
Miranda was not around during the raid.
National Bureau of Investigation director Medardo de Lemos said that Miranda was arrested in a mountain resort in Barbaza town where he had allegedly been hiding since March 23.
Abalos said a total of 11 suspects in the killing of Degamo are now under the custody of the NBI.
They were Miranda, Osmundo Rojas Rivero, Joven Calibjo Javier, Joric Garrido Labrador, Benjie Buladula Rodriguez, Winrich Baloyo Isturis, Dahniel Pajarillo Lora, Rommel Alaba Pattaguan, John Louis Labrador Gonyon, Eulogio Legario Gonyon Jr. and Rogelio Calimpong Antipolo Jr.
Charges of multiple murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms have been filed against the suspects.
Abalos also revealed that one of the long firearms seized in a raid in a property owned by Teves’ brother, former Negros Oriental Government Henry Pryde Teves, which is a sniper rifle, was registered under the embattled lawmaker.
Earlier, Remulla said there had been two failed attempts to kill Degamo, one was through a sniper while the other was in the use of a rifle grenade.
“We are confident that with all the pieces of evidence at hand our pursuit of justice is within our sight,” said Abalos.
“All of this things, testimonies, forensic etcetera lahat po ito maguugnay sa mastermind,” he added.
Remulla said politics plays a major part as a motive in the killing.
When asked when charges against Teves will be filed, Remulla said they have to observe “due process.”
"Well and good. He can answer questions during the preliminary investigation. This will make our job easier, and it will be beneficial for all Filipinos because we can remove uncertainty," Remulla responded when asked if Teves would be immediately arrested upon arriving in the country. Other suspects who directly participated in Degamo's assassination were arrested without a warrant.
“Mas mabuti na dumating siya para sumagot sa lahat. Pagka nandiyan na when the warrant is issued. We expect a warrant to be issued against him also of course. We will use all legal tools within our disposal. Lahat ng legal means na meron kami gagamitin namin to solve these cases,” he added.
(It's better for him to come and answer everything. We expect a warrant to be issued against him as well, of course. We will use all the legal means at our disposal to solve these cases.) (SunStar Philippines)