Four suspects, who were allegedly behind the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, have recanted their previous statements linking suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves in the slay case.
In a television interview, lawyer Danny Villanueva said his three clients Dahniel Lora, Rommel Pattaguan, and Rogelio Antipolo has executed their respective affidavit of recantation which withdraws their earlier allegation that Teves is the alleged mastermind behind the slay case of Degamo.
He said the three also retracted their testimonies that they participated in the crime.
"According to Mr. Antipolo, he was made to sign the affidavits out of fear that he will be subjected to torture and the safety of his family. He cooperated reluctantly. He affixed his signature on those affidavits allegedly confessing to his involvement, not only in the planning and execution but as well as recruitment," Villanueva said.
Aside from Lora, Pattaguan, and Antipolo, another suspect Jhudiel Rivero first executed his affidavit of recantation and this have been submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday.
Rivero is also a client of Villanueva.
In Rivero's affidavit recantation, Villanueva said he also denied his participation in the killing of the former Negros Oriental governor and also retracted his sworn statement tagging Teves as the mastermind.
The lawyer said his client was not present when the crime happened, and that on March 5, his client was supposed to go to Bayawan City Police Station to report his missing vehicle.
"However, on his way to the police station, a police vehicle passed by. He hailed the vehicle and was thinking that it was his opportunity to report his missing motorcycle," the lawyer said, adding that Rivero was suddenly brought to the provincial headquarters where he was allegedly tortured and forced to link Teves in the slay case.
In March, the DOJ filed three counts of murder and frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental against Rivero and other suspects.
Last May 17, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder charges against Teves for his alleged involvement in the killing of Degamo.
