More secure jail for Degamo slay suspects eyed
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is contemplating the transfer of suspects involved in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others to a more secure detention facility.
The move aims to prevent any potential influence from individuals with an interest in the high-profile multiple murder case.
Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson, Atty. Mico Clavano, disclosed that Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), is the preferred option on the DOJ’s list for relocation.
“We have received a request to transfer these suspects to other facilities because here at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the custodial center is set to be demolished, and we really have to move them. At the NBI, there were attempts by a former DOJ official to communicate with them. We need to exercise caution due to the familiarity with the detention center, and we want to avoid that,” Clavano stated in Filipino.
In a recent development, four suspects involved in the high-profile killing of Degamo have recanted their earlier statements given to investigators during the initial stages of the inquiry.
The first to withdraw his statement was Osmundo Rivero, who claimed in his counter-affidavit that he had been subjected to alleged torture to falsely implicate provincial lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.
Following Rivero’s recantation, three additional suspects followed suit by submitting affidavits of recantation. Lawyer Danny Villanueva confirmed that his clients, namely Rogelio Antipolo, Rommel Pattaguan, and Dahniel Lora, have now reversed their previous testimonies.
