Several suspects in Degamo killing not cooperating with DOJ

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 15) -- The Department of Justice has pushed back the filing of charges against Negros Oriental representative Arnie Teves after several suspects in the killing of Governor Roel Degamo "lawyered up" and are now refusing to work with the DOJ.

"Meaning by lawyered up, they were provided with lawyers by some people who are paying for these lawyers who are not there before. Obviously there’s some people interested in the statements that they want to give and now they don’t want to cooperate," DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said on Monday.

Remulla said around six or seven suspects now have lawyers and are not cooperating with the DOJ.

Remulla said they expected this to happen, so they are now going over the earlier statements made by the suspects. He clarified, however, that the suspects have not taken back their statements.

"We suspect that they will change their statements later on. And they will make a recantation of sorts, but we’re not afraid of that because everything was fairly given, said in front of counsel," he said.

Cases were also expected to be filed against Teves today but this has been moved to Wednesday.

Remulla believes the lawmaker is still in Southeast Asia, but added that he still has valid US and Korean visas.

Remulla said the Negros Oriental representative's passport can be cancelled when the cases reach the court.

The Justice chief said Teves will face 10 murder charges.

Remulla added that former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves — the brother of the embattled lawmaker — is not yet off the hook.