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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ to protect Negros Oriental folk from 'reign of terror'

DOJ to protect Negros Oriental folk from 'reign of terror'

Published Apr 18, 2023 10:07 am
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) can unilaterally, or upon request, give protection to witnesses or victims of the ‘’reign of terror’’ in Negros Oriental. DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres revealed this during the hearing of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee chaired by Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’ dela Rosa on the alleged ‘’reign of terror’’ of political kingpins in Negros Oriental. Andres said the DOJ does not object to bringing the hearing of criminal cases in Negros Oriental to Manila. ‘’We assure their security,’’ Andres said when asked if they planned to place the witnesses or victims under the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program (WPP). Asked in a press conference what has been the "common denominator" based on resource persons' inputs in the hearing, Dela Rosa replied: ‘’So far si Teves ang tinuturo na mastermind sa mga killings na yun (So far Teves is being tagged as the mastermind in the killings). That’s the common denominator.’’ A line of witnesses and victims of harassment and killings have emerged and narrated their harrowing experiences and pointed to Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Adolfo Teves Jr, as the alleged political kingpin. They were presented to the Dela Rosa panel by Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, who came qll the way from Negros Oriental. Degamo is the widow of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo who was brazenly shot to death last March 4 by former soldiers who were dishonorably discharged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). During the committee hearing, Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino sought the creation of a Special Prosecution Task Force Negros Oriental, amid the current state of peace and order in the said province. Tolentino made this manifestation during the continuation of the Senate inquiry in connection with the assassination of Degamo as well as other unresolved crimes within Negros Oriental. “I move that a Special Task Force Negros Oriental Prosecution Team be created upon the request of this committee, specifically to handle all cases brought before this committee… specifically all cases prior to the assassination of Governor Degamo, including the case of Governor Degamo, Mr. Chairman," he said. Senator Robinhood Padilla seconded Tolentino’s motion. Tolentino said the task force would handle 20 folders containing their summary and status report. Three prosecutors would man the task force, he stressed. Andres heeded Tolentino’s suggestion, noting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the past “have done that in several instances, to avoid  miscarriage of justice and where there is some tension or pressure in the area where the preliminary investigation is being conducted". Dela Rosa requested the DOJ to talk to the victims. ‘’I am very apprehensive,’’ Dela Rosa said, adding that  the muddled situation in Negros Oriental should be cleared up. Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said the way the dishonorably discharged soldiers dressed up and the way they wore bandoliers had the hallmarks of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. ‘’This reinforces my theory of a merger of NPA regulars and former AFP soldiers," he added. The killing of Degamo and seven other persons at the Degamo compound was recorded via closed circuit television (CCTV) camera. PNP officers testified that the killers used high-powered rifles with suppressors (silencers). Dela Rosa said he wanted to know how these rifles were imported or brought into the country.

Related Tags

witnesses DOJ roel degamo Ronald Bato dela Rosa Arnolfo Teves Jr.
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