ni Jeff Tumbado | March 10, 2023
Itinuturong mastermind sa pagpaslang kay Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo ang kongresista sa ikatlong distrito ng nasabing lalawigan na si Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr.
Ito ang lumalabas sa imbestigasyon ng Special Investigation Task Group (SITG)–Degamo na siyang nangunguna sa pagsisiyasat sa nangyaring paglikida sa gobernador.
“These are information that we already knew from the moment we arrested the four suspects six hours from the incident. We then turned over to the DOJ the suspects and the pieces of evidence, as part of the process,” pahayag ng SITG.
“When we forwarded the case for inquest, we have already the complete picture of what transpired before, during and after the incident, including the identities of the suspects. Right now po, the prosecution of the case is under the control of the Department of Justice,” saad pa ng task group.
Sa isang panayam, itinuro rin ng dalawang dating sundalo na kabilang sa mga suspek ang isang ‘Congressman Teves’ umano ang nag-utos na patayin si Degamo na tinukoy umanong drug lord.
Samantala, nanawagan naman ang lead counsel ni Teves na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio ng kahinahunan ng publiko kaugnay ng pagkakasangkot ng kanyang kliyente sa masaker.
“We call on all concerned to observe sobriety in their pronouncements regarding the allegations against Rep. Arni Teves in the face of certain accusations against him in connection with the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and several other persons,” ani Topacio sa kanyang official statement.
“The killing has already been denounced strongly by Rep. Teves, who has denied involvement therein. It will not serve the ends of justice any by publicly obfuscating the issues prematurely before a thorough investigation in accordance with procedures provided for by law,” saad pa nito.
Kinumpirma naman ng Department of Justice (DOJ) na kabilang si Cong. Teves sa mga iniimbestigahan kaugnay ng mga patayan sa nabanggit na probinsiya.