Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said justice will be served for slain former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine other victims.
This comes despite the move by the ten accused gunmen in the so-called Pamplona massacre to recant statements naming suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as the mastermind of the March 4 attack.
During his visit to the province over the weekend, Abalos assured local officials, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other sectors that many cases were also filed with the Department of Justice and are now undergoing preliminary investigation.
He also said that some are already pending before the regional trial courts, and they are waiting for the decision.
Former soldiers Winrich Isturis, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio, and John Louie were interviewed by the DOJ during the preliminary investigation.
Gonyong confirmed their repentances by teleconference.
Last week, gunmen Joven Javier, Daniel Lora, Romel Pattaguan, Jhudiel Rivero, and Rogelio Antipolo Jr. confirmed their declarations of recantation before a panel of prosecutors.
The suspected ringleader of the group, Marvin Miranda, never cooperated with investigators.
According to Teves' lawyer, Andres Manuel, the developments provide their legal team with enough evidence to call the murder and multiple murder charges against their client into question.
At the same time, Abalos has urged the PNP to put an end to the killings in the province.
