11 suspects in Degamo slay case transferred to BJMP facility in Taguig City – Sec Remulla
Eleven suspects in the March 4, 2023 slaying of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and in the deaths of nine other persons have been transferred to a prison facility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Monday, July 17, that those transferred from the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila were Marvin H. Miranda, Winrich B. Isturis, Eulogio L. Gonyon Jr., John Louie L. Gonyon, Joric G. Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, Jhudiel R. Rivero, Dahniel P. Lora, Romel A. Pattaguan, Rogelio C. Antipolo Jr., and Joven C. Javier.
Remulla said the transfer was requested by the NBI since the bureau’s headquarters in Manila will be demolished for the construction of a new and modern building.
Aside from the deaths of 10 persons, 18 others had been injured in the killings in Pamplona town last March 4.
Except for Miranda, the 10 other suspects have submitted their recantations to their supposed testimonies that implicated themselves and Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. in the killings.
But Remulla reiterated: “We do not have to take every recantation as gospel truth because of their previous statements.”
“So, it does not change anything if at all because recantations, as always said, are looked upon with disdain by the courts and even by the prosecution,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Remulla said he will be attending the next Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) meeting this month to discuss his recommendations to have Teves designated as a terrorist.
Teves, who has not returned to the country, has been tagged as a “mastermind” in the Degamo slaying. He has denied the allegations.
All the 11 suspects, including Teves, have been charged with multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder. The cases against some of the suspects have been filed in court. The complaints against Teves are pending investigation by DOJ prosecutors.