Murder complaints have been filed against the suspects tagged in the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.
In a press statement, DOJ said three counts of murder and frustrated murder have been filed before the Regional Trial Court in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental against the following suspects:
- Joric Garido Labrador
- Joven Calibjo Javier
- Benjie Buladola Rodriguez
- Osmundo Rojas Rivero
- 12 other John Does
Labrador, Javier, and Rodriguez were earlier arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army during a pursuit operation in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, three suspects will be facing three counts for violation of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
According to the DOJ, among the suspects, two are under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) while the two are under the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The justice department said the four agreed to be the state witnesses.
"The specific motive of the murder has yet to be confirmed as the DILG [Department of Interior and Government] and DOJ will exert every effort to see all factors at play in this incident," it said.
DOJ assured that it will not rest until the Degamo's slay case is solved.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the media, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said other suspects remain at large.
"As soon as we catch the rest of the people at large or persons of interest that are still at large, they will go to the necessary inquest and preliminary investigation at mafi-file din 'yun sa court," he said.
Clavano said all cases filed in the provincial courts shall be soon consolidated and transferred to the DOJ in order to avoid "bias" or "pre-trial judgments."
On Saturday, March 4, Degamo was shot dead inside his residential compound in Barangay San Isidro, Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Nine other civilians were also hit.
Following the brutal incident, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos to identify the “political hotspots” or the areas where violence against local executives happens.
