Senate inquiry into Degamo killing set after Holy Week —Dela Rosa

The Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs inquiry into the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo will take place after Holy Week, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Thursday.

In an online interview, Dela Rosa, chairman of the panel, said that the Department of Justice asked him to wait until charges are filed against the alleged masterminds so the prosecutors can focus on building up the case.

“Nakiusap ang DOJ na hangga’t hindi sila nagpa-file ng kaso, particularly doon sa mga masterminds, ay nakiusap sila na i-delay ko lang muna para maka-focus sila sa kanilang efforts,” Dela Rosa said.

“Pero ngayon, siguro marami na siguro silang na-file na kaso. So sabi ko sa committee secretary baka after nitong Semana Santa kahit naka-break kami [ng session] magpapatawag ako ng hearing,” the senator added.

(The DOJ asked us to delay the hearing until they are able to file cases against the masterminds so they can focus  on their efforts. But now, I think they already filed several cases so I told the committee secretary that I might conduct a hearing after the Holy Week even if we are not in session.)

The Senate panel was supposed to conduct an inquiry on Degamo’s killing last March 15 but it was postponed.

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

Suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. is among those being considered as suspects in masterminding the killings, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said last Monday. — BM, GMA Integrated News