Dela Rosa says Senate can probe Degamo, other political killings during break
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs can start its independent probe into the series of political killings happening in the country, including that of the case of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, chairman of the said panel, made this assurance on Saturday, March 25, saying he can schedule the hearings even if Congress is on a Holy Week break.
The committee earlier postponed a scheduled hearing to give the Department of Justice (DOJ) ample time to file airtight cases against the suspects in the killing of the governor.
“I will ask an update fro the DOJ and if cases have been filed. Even if the Senate is on a break, we can call for a committee hearing,” Dela Rosa said in an interview over Radio DWIZ.
Last Thursday, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo reiterated her call for a Senate probe into the killing of her husband and eight other persons.
The widow of the assassinated governor, likewise, called on the Senate to investigate the alleged involvement of Teves in the series of killings in Negros Oriental.
Janice Degamo made the call a day after Rep. Arnie Teves, who has been tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of the governor, claimed that he is just a “victim” just like the Degamos.
Dela Rosa, however, said he has not yet received any formal communication from the Degamo family, though he visited them during the wake.
“But she made her appeal publicly, so there’s no reason why we should ignore her plea,” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said.
As to her appeal for an investigation into the killings in Negros Oriental in 2019, Dela Rosa said the Senate has already conducted the probe on the shooting incidents in the province, which killed at least 17 civilians and four policemen.
“As I’ve said, we have already investigated that in the past, but now, if there are new information, why not? We will include that during the discussions,” Dela Rosa stressed.