More complaints vs. Degamo slay suspects to be filed this week, possibly including Teves – DOJ

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — More complaints will be filed this week against the arrested suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday.

“We are hoping to file the complaints by Thursday or Friday, or within this week,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

Murder and other complaints were earlier filed by authorities against the arrested suspects.

Remulla did not specify what the new complaints will be, but noted they will initially involve the 11 arrested suspects. More personalities may be added as the panel of prosecutors evaluate the pieces of evidence, he noted.

Pending this assessment, the DOJ chief said it is possible the alleged mastermind, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, will be included “because there are many factors that point out to him as really involved in the case.”

Among those linking Teves in Degamo's assassination on March 4 is the safehouse used by the suspects, which is either owned or controlled by the lawmaker, Remulla said.

“Based on that pwede na talaga s’yang i-indict, but we are still looking at the other evidence that is there,” he added. “At tsaka mayroon pa kaming mga hinahanap na tao na makakatulong pa para maisara ang buong kaso.”

[Translation: Based on that he can be indicted already, but we are still looking at the other evidence that is there. Also, we are still looking for people who can help in closing the case.]

Remulla said they are still looking for 2-3 people possibly involved in the murder case.

Teves, who has denied his connection to the killing, has refused to return home, citing security concerns.

He flew to the United States for medical purposes late-February, but has yet to return after his travel authority expired on March 9. This prompted the House of Representatives to suspend him for two months due to disorderly behavior.

Earlier this month, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed multiple murder complaints before the DOJ against Teves and five others in relation to killings of at least four persons in 2019.

The PNP-CIDG also filed complaints for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Teves, Jr. and his two sons.