Remulla says nothing funny about Degamo, 8 deaths

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said there is nothing funny about the deaths of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others.

“There is nothing funny about nine people getting killed,” Remulla said in a message to the media.

“The people are/were terrorized and are/were living in fear as long as he is not in legal custody. We are guarding against that capability to wreak havoc and destruction to people’s lives,” he added.

This came after suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who was being linked to the incident, said he found funny the possibility of being tagged as a terrorist for his refusal to return to the country.

Remulla earlier said the Justice Department will seek to designate and proscribe Teves as a terrorist to force him to surrender to authorities.

Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured after an attack at the governor's home in Negros Oriental on March 4 while he was distributing aid to his constituents.

Meanwhile, Remulla then returned the question to the congressman, asking if the death of the governor was funny.

“That is not funny at all, considering that the highest ranked local official was killed in his own home while serving his constituents, by highly trained gunmen recruited for that purpose. Was what happened to Gov. Degamo funny in any way?” he said.

Teves had denied involvement in the killing of Degamo. He said he will return to the Philippines when he feels it is safe to do so.

Remulla previously said that Teves appears to be the main mastermind in the killing of Degamo, likening him to an “executive producer” in the ploy.—AOL, GMA Integrated News