DOJ indicts 6 suspects in Degamo slay for murder

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of murder charges against six suspects involved in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

In a press conference, Justice spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said DOJ prosecutors recommended the filing of nine counts of murder against the six individuals for the killing of Degamo, Jessie Boy-ay, Jose Marie Ramirez, Jomar Canseco, Crispin Vallega, Jerome Maquiling, Florence Quinikito, Joseph Renada, and Michael Fabugais.

He said the suspects will also be charged with 13 counts of frustrated murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Clavano said the frustrated murder charge for Diomedes Omatang was referred for further investigation for lack of necessary documents to prove the injuries that he sustained.

According to the spokesperson, the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region was also directed to continue its investigation on the alleged recruiter and handler as well as the principals by inducement mentioned by some of the respondents.

“The cases will be tried jointly with the previous cases for murder filed by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental against the four previous respondents who were caught and subjected to inquest proceedings recently,” Clavano said.

Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after an attack at the governor’s home on March 4.

In early March, DOJ prosecutors filed murder raps were filed against four of the 10 suspects in the killing and 12 John Does.

Meanwhile, Clavano commended the work of the Joint Task Force Degamo.

“The Department of Justice commends the work of the joint task force and lends its unwavering commitment to see this case through until justice is finally served,” Clavano said.

Evil mastermind

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos appealed to the missing suspects in Degamo slay to surrender to authorities, warning them of the possible actions of the mastermind.

“Sa iba pang hindi pa ho sumusuko—Iba ang utak ng taong ito. Pag-isipan niyong dalawa, baka kayo isunod nito,” he said.

(For those who have not yet surrendered—-This person's mind is different. Think about it, you two might be next.)

“Iba ho ito. He’s very, very devious. He’s very evil. Lahat ng kasamaan nasa taong ito para pumatay ka ng ganyan. Hindi karapat dapat ‘yan dito sa ating bansa. Dapat mahusgahan ‘yan at dapat ang hustisya ay ating makamtan,” he added.

(He is different. He's very, very devious. He's very evil. All the evilness is in this person for him to be able to kill like that. That should not happen in our country. He should be prosecuted and we should get justice.)

Abalos said the government would protect the other suspects if they would surrender. 

On Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. is among those being considered as mastermind in the murder of Degamo.

Remulla also said it is possible that there are two to three masterminds in the killing.

Abalos said authorities now have stronger evidence that would point to the mastermind. He was referring to the series of improvised explosive devices and ammunition found on the compound of HDJ Agri-Venture Corporation, whose president is former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves.

Abalos thus called on the mastermind to surrender as more suspects were placed under custody. However, he refrained from naming the mastermind, saying he wanted to follow the procedures.

“Lahat ng ebidensyang ito, nakita naman natin sa ilang nakaraang araw. ‘Yung mga mismong pumatay, nasa kustodiya na. Habang tumatagal, ang dami na. Alam mo kung sino ka. Sumuko ka na,” he said.

(We have seen all this evidence in the past few days. The killers themselves are in custody. You know who you are. Surrender now.)

“Papangalanan ko na ang pangalanan nito. Ang pangalan ng mastermind ‘demonyo.’ ‘Yun ang pangalan niya. Talagang demonyo ‘tong taong ‘to at ipakukulong natin ‘yan.”

(The mastermind's name is 'demon.' That's his name. This person is really a demon and we will put him in jail.)—With Giselle Ombay/LDF, GMA Integrated News