One of the “arrested masterminds” will be presented for inquest on Monday, April 3, before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges in the March 4 killings of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and eight other persons.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla identified the arrested “mastermind” as Marvin H. Miranda, a military reservist.
Remulla said that Miranda “has a very strong connection” with suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnoldo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr.
Congressman Teves has been implicated in the Degamo killing by several arrested suspects who are now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Some of the suspects reportedly pointed to Teves “as a mastermind.”
Teves, who is still abroad despite the lapse of his official travel last March 9, cited “security reasons” for not returning home. He had denied the allegations against him.
On Miranda’s inquest (the presentation of the suspect before the public prosecutors for the filing of the criminal charge), Remulla said that the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) will act as the lawyer in the meantime.
“May nag ke-claim na lawyer niya pero hindi naman niya kilala (There was a person claiming to be his lawyer but Miranda said he does not know him),” Remulla disclosed.
Last March 4, armed men stormed the home of Degamo in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental. Aside from the killings of Degamo and eight other persons, 17 individuals were also injured.
Remulla said that Miranda, who was arrested by the NBI last March 31, has been the subject of hot pursuit operations since March 4
He said “kasama na siya sa revelations kaya hinanap na siya kaagad (he was among those revealed involved so we immediately conducted a manhunt).”
“Kumbaga sa sine, siya yung direktor at casting director. Hindi lang ito sine kasi totoo nangyari ito eh. (If this was a movie Miranda would be the director and casting director. But this actually happened) While Congressman Teves is the executive producer,” Remulla explained about their involvement in the killing of Degamo.
He said that Miranda is still under interrogation and no decision has been made if he will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Four suspects were arrested immediately after the Degamo killing and they have been charged before the regional trial court (RTC) in Negros Oriental.
Six other suspects who surrendered have been presented for inquest before the DOJ which has yet to issue its resolution.
The Supreme Court (SC) had earlier ordered the transfer to the Manila RTC of the cases involving the killings of Degamo and eight other persons.