PNP on Degamo slay suspect’s torture claim: ‘No evidence leading to that accusation’

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained on Tuesday that the special task force did a “good” job in investigating the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, as one of the suspects claimed he was tortured by the police to admit his involvement in the assassination.

“Ang ating SITG (special investigation task force)-Degamo ay talagang ginawan [nila] nang maayos at mahusay ang pagiimbestiga sa kaso na ito,” PNP Public Information Office chief PCol Redrico Maranan said during a briefing.

[Translation: Our SITG properly and efficiently investigated the Degamo case.]

He also stressed that the PNP’s investigation was also aided by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Maranan’s remarks came as members of the media pressed him a day after one of the suspects in the killing recanted his previous statements and alleged that authorities threatened him into tagging suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. The embattled lawmaker has been tagged as the mastermind in the assassination, a claim that was denied by Teves.

“Base sa mga sinasabi ng nag-imbestiga, wala pa naman tayong nakikitang evidence leading to that accusation,” the PNP official said.

[Translation: Based on our investigators, we have yet to see evidence leading to that accusation.]

Maranan also said that the PNP is committed to upholding human rights.

But in case personnel are found to have committed violations, he said the PNP will make sure that the police officers would face punishments under the law.