The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) showed that some of the detained suspects were indeed present during the March 4, 2023 killings of 10 persons, one of them Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo, in the province’s Pamplona town. The blood analysis was based on samples taken from the vehicles used by the detained suspects and those blood stains lifted in Degamo’s residence where the killings took place, the NBI said. “‘Yung DNA na ‘yan pinapakita may mga ebidensya bukod sa mga salita. Kahit sabihin nila hindi sila ‘yung naroon sa patayan, ‘yung dugo nila naroon sa patayan (The DNA analysis showed that there are other pieces of evidence apart from statements. Even if they said they were not in the crime scene, their blood was there),” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Tuesday, June 13. Meanwhile, suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. did not appear at the preliminary investigation set Tuesday morning by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) panel of prosecutors. Teves and five other persons have been charged with 10 murder, 14 frustrated murder, and four attempted murder in the killing of Degamo, the deaths of nine other persons, and injuries sustained by 18 others. Remulla said the DOJ panel had issued a subpoena to Teves that directed the lawmaker to appear at Tuesday’s hearing to submit a counter-affidavit to refute the charges. “Hindi natuloy ang preliminary investigation, ang PI, sapagkat hindi sumipot si Cong. Teves o ang kanyang mga abugado (The preliminary investigation did not push through because neither Teves nor his lawyers appeared),” the DOJ secretary said. Only the detained suspects were presented during the schedule hearing.  Since their lawyers did not also appear, they were represented by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). Teves is still abroad despite the expiration of his travel authority on March 9, 2023. Remulla said the DOJ panel gave Teves and his lawyers another chance to appear on the next preliminary investigation set June 27. “If they could not take the process seriously then we might as well go to court for this if they do not respect the DOJ to conduct the preliminary investigation,” he warned. On the DNA analysis, Remulla said the results refute the recantations of the 10 detained suspects who claimed that they were tortured in admitting that they and Teves were involved in the Pamplona town killings. “Ano ibig sabihin nun? Nandoon sila sa lugar. Kaya ‘yung salita na binabawi nila at ‘yung salita na sinasabi nila, ano paniniwalaan mo? (What does that mean? They were there in the crime scene. So which one will you believe, their recantations or their original statements?),” Remulla asked. Meanwhile, lawyer Levito D. Baligod, counsel of the Degamo family, said the results of the NBI’s DNA analysis was presented Tuesday before the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation of the complaint filed against Teves. “‘Yung investigators natin (The investigators) took specimen from the vehicles used by the shooters and then also the blood stains left in the compound of Gov. Degamo and were subjected to DNA analysis as well,” Baligod said. He said the DNA analysis confirmed the participation of four of the detained suspects, namely, Rogelio C. Antipolo Jr., Winrich B. Isturis, John Louie L. Gonyon, and Jhudiel R. Rivero.