JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed on Monday that at least six detained suspects linked to the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and several others have abruptly declined to cooperate, raising concerns about potential recantation of their previous statements.

Remulla said the suspects, who had previously expressed their willingness to collaborate with the authorities, are now hesitating to cooperate causing delays in filing of the murder charges against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Justice Secretary noted that the suspects’ lack of cooperation emerged shortly after they sought legal representation.

Nevertheless, Remulla expressed confidence that formal charges could still be filed by tomorrow, assuring that any potential recantation would not undermine the ongoing cases.

Teves, who denied any involvement in Degamo’s assassination on March 4 and is currently abroad, has vowed to return once his safety concerns have been adequately addressed.

Eyewitnesses report that heavily-armed individuals clad in camouflage uniforms conducted the assault on the governor’s residence in Pamplona town while he was meeting beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Degamo was killed 19 days after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the fiercely-contested gubernatorial race in his province.

The death toll from the daylight attack on Degamo and several others has risen to 10, as one victim recently succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.

This information was obtained from the slain governor’s Facebook page. “His death marks the tenth victim of the Negros Oriental massacre that occurred two months and three days ago at Governor Degamo’s residence,” the post stated.

The 10th fatality has been identified as Fredilino Cafe from the Provincial Engineering Office of Umanod, Santa Catalina.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas