Remulla: We have 'listing' of 17 people ordered killed by Teves

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) – Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said the Department of Justice has a “listing” of people who he claimed were ordered killed by Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.

This was in response to a statement made by Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of governor Roel Degamo, who said almost 30 people were killed by Teves.

“The initial that we got was 17 people but there are more names coming up,” Remulla told reporters in an interview on Friday.

“We have to get the data, we have to investigate them systematically to get the necessary data and to have a case folder for each so we know who are the witnesses and what statements will be made to support the allegations, the death certificates, autopsy results,” he explained.

Teves was tagged as the mastermind behind the killing of the Negros Oriental governor.

As to the filing of complaints, Remulla said this would happen “hopefully by March 30 or 31.”

If Teves is among the respondents, Remulla said the DOJ would look into the extent of his involvement.

“Because if the case will be filed, it will still undergo preliminary investigation except for those who voluntarily gave statements which we can already submit to the court for further action,” he said.

Remulla said seven to ten people may be involved in the killings and that it's possible that the same people were involved in the Degamo assassination.

“They may intersect at some points or they may have a lot in common in the Degamo murders,” he said.

CNN Philippines has contacted Teves’ legal team for its response.

CNN Philippines senior correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.