DOJ: Teves helicopter transported Degamo shooters
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 24) — A helicopter owned by Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. transported the gunmen who killed Gov. Roel Degamo out of the province after the March 4 shooting, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.
"I think that a search warrant was issued to look at his helicopter which was used to transport many of the suspects after the fact. Nilikas sila mula sa Negros Oriental papunta sa Maguindanao, ginamit yung chopper kaya ito'y inisyuan na ng warrant," Remulla told the media.
[Translation: They were transported from Negros Oriental to Maguindanao, this chopper was used which is why the warrant was issued.]
The chopper was found in a hangar linked to Teves in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Remulla said.
"Isa yan sa mga nangyari sa mga nakaraan na araw na mapapaniwala ka na mayroon siyang kinalaman kasi chopper niya mismo ang ginamit na sinakyan ng mga salarin upang makatakas sila mula sa Negros Oriental," he added.
[Translation: This is one of the things that happened in the recent days that makes one believe that Teves was involved because it was his chopper that was used to transport the suspects out of the province.]
When asked by reporters if it was a "Teves Cares" foundation chopper, Remulla said that it was but that its markings were removed.
Remulla said that the justice department requested for a Philippine National Police pilot to transport the chopper to Cebu for safekeeping.
Meanwhile, Remulla also said that Teves' alleged former ties to e-sabong and small town lottery were being investigated as terrorist financing in line with the agency's intent to designate the suspended lawmaker as a terrorist.
"That's where it could go now. The fact that this money was used to finance terrorism should be one angle that we should follow as investigators, as people who are investigating a crime so dastardly," Remulla said. Teves earlier admitted in an interview that he was involved with online cockfighting before it was outlawed by the government.
Related:
NBI official claims Rep. Teves threatened him over e-sabong raid in Cebu
Degamo's widow: Teves brothers 'source of threats' vs. governor
