The Philippine National Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) has tagged Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves as the mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who was shot dead by gunmen outside his home on March 4.

In a press statement released on Thursday, PRO-7 said that one of the four suspects arrested in connection with the governor’s slay had confessed to being hired by Teves to assassinate Degamo.

The suspect also identified three other accomplices who were involved in the plot.

PRO-7 said that they had already obtained this information from the suspects six hours after the incident, but they withheld it from public disclosure until they completed their investigation and turned over the case to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The police also said that two of the suspects had expressed their willingness to testify as state witnesses against Teves and his cohorts.

They added that they had gathered enough evidence to prove Teves’ involvement in the crime.

Teves is a representative of Negros Oriental’s third district and a political rival of Degamo. His brother, Henry Teves, was initially proclaimed as the winner of the 2022 gubernatorial race, but his victory was overturned by the Supreme Court after it ruled that Degamo should be credited with votes obtained by a nuisance candidate.

Degamo served as governor of Negros Oriental from 2011 to June 2022, and again from October 2022 until his assassination.

He was known for his advocacy for environmental protection and anti-corruption measures.

PRO-7 director Brigadier General Ronnie Bearis said that they were determined to solve Degamo’s killing and bring justice to his family.

Bearis also praised their personnel for their relentless efforts in unmasking the perpetrators and mastermind of this “unacceptable attack”.

MASTERMIND

The arrested hired killers pointed to Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman as the mastermind behind the killing of Gov. Degamo.

Teves has been accused of being the mastermind behind the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo, who was attacked by an armed group at his residence on March 3, resulting in the death of eight other people.

The allegation was made by the arrested hired killers, who confessed that Teves ordered them to assassinate Degamo, according to a report from Dumaguete City.

The wife of the governor, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, said she was not surprised by this revelation, as she had long suspected Teves of having a grudge against her husband.

The PNP command in Central Visayas issued a statement regarding Teves’ involvement in the murder plot, saying that they have evidence linking him to the crime.

Teves has been in the US since February 28, based on his official leave from Congress which ends today, Thursday, March 9, 2023.

It is unclear whether he will return to face charges or flee to another country that has no extradition treaty with the Philippines.

Teves is also facing a complaint for killing former Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog in 2019.

Meanwhile, in a video message, Teves denied orchestrating Degamo’s assassination and claimed that he was being framed by his political enemies.

This comes as unconfirmed reports say that STL outlets allegedly operated by Teves in Negros have been raided since his name surfaced as a suspect.

DENIAL

Meanwhile, Teves had clarified that he had nothing to do with the death of former Gov. Degamo.

Teves released a video for those who allegedly want to implicate him in the death of former Negros Oriental governor and reiterated that he had nothing to gain from the killing.

In a Facebook video message, Teves revealed that this was what he feared would happen because he expected that he would be blamed after he learned that he might be implicated in the incident by a party that he did not name.

“Now, I learned that there are other people out there who want to pin me down. Some of them maybe just want to butt in, want to be famous for their own benefit. I don’t care about anyone but you know who you are,” Teves said in Bisaya.

Teves also repeated that he and his brother had nothing to gain from Degamo’s death.

“If I had any plans or ability to do this, remember if I had any plans or ability to do this, I would have done it before the election. What motive do I have now? I will not be a beneficiary either and neither will my brother,” Rep. Teves said in Bisaya (translation by The Bohol Tribune).

“Because if the governor dies, the vice governor will take over. Not my brother who really won in the election but I don’t know what magic happened that they removed him from office,” he added.

PRES. MARCOS PAYS TRIBUTE

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flew to Dumaguete City on March 8, 2023, to pay his respects to Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others who were killed in an ambush last week.

Marcos arrived at Barangay Junob around 9 p.m., where he was welcomed by local officials and supporters of Degamo. He then proceeded to the funeral parlor where he offered his condolences to the bereaved family of the governor.

The president also delivered a brief speech in which he praised Degamo as a loyal friend and a dedicated public servant.

“Gov. Degamo was not only my ally but also my brother. He was one of the first governors who supported my candidacy and helped me win in Negros Oriental. He was also one of my trusted advisers who shared my vision for a better Philippines,” Marcos said.

“I will not rest until we find out who are behind this cowardly act and make them pay for their crimes. I have ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a thorough probe into this incident and arrest the suspects as soon as possible,” he said.

Marcos also assured the people of Negros Oriental that he will continue to support their development projects and programs initiated by Degamo.

“I will honor his legacy by fulfilling his dreams for our province. I will ensure that you will receive adequate funding and assistance from the national government for your infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, education, health, and other sectors,” he said.

This is Marcos’ first visit to Negros Oriental since he assumed office as president on June 30 last year.

BEAUTY AND ADVOCACY

On the same vein, the crowned 2022 Miss Negros Oriental has demands justice for slain governor.

Angel Saga, who was crowned Miss Negros Oriental 2022 last month, has expressed her outrage and grief over the brutal assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others on Wednesday.

In a statement posted on her social media accounts, Saga said she will stand with the 1.5 million people of Negros Oriental in seeking justice for the slain governor and his companions, who were assassinates by scalawag soldiers.

“I condemn this senseless act of violence that has robbed us of a great leader and a friend. Gov. Degamo was a visionary who worked hard to bring progress and development to our province. He was also a supporter of my advocacy for peace and harmony among all sectors of society,” Saga said.

Saga, who is also the goodwill ambassador of Negros Oriental, said she will continue to promote peace and unity in the province despite the tragedy.

“I will not let this incident dampen my spirit or deter me from fulfilling my duties as Miss Negros Oriental 2022 and as a goodwill ambassador. I will use my voice and platform to call for an end to violence and injustice in our province and in our country,” she said.

Saga urged the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

She also asked her fellow Negrenses to pray for the souls of Gov. Degamo and his companions, as well as for their families who are grieving their loss.

“Let us also pray for peace and healing in our land. Let us not allow fear or hatred to divide us, but rather let us unite in love and solidarity,” she said.

In Bohol, First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto also expressed outrage and sadness over the killing of a true public servant.

In a Facebook post, Chatto said: “Our condolences and prayers to Mayor Janice, the family of Governor Roel Degamo and the people of Negros Oriental. The late Governor Degamo and I worked together when I served as Central Visayas Regional Development Council and Regional Peace and Order Chairman. He invited me to a launching event of his Peace and Order Campaign Program under the Negros Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council. He was a good friend and had always been proud to trace his roots in Bohol. We condemn this act of violence and pray for justice and peace to prevail. Rest in peace Gov. Roel.”

Former Bohol Governor Atty. Art C. Yap also mourned the death of Gov. Degamo.

In his Facebook post, Yap said: “My heartfelt sympathies to the family of Governor Roel Degamo at this most difficult time. I have had the honor of working with Governor Degamo when I was Governor of Bohol especially on matters of peace and security. His dedication to the poor and weak in society was inspiring. May Gov. Degamo rest in peace.”

STATE WITNESS

Two suspects in killing of Gov. Degamo placed under witness protection program.

Two of the four suspects arrested by the Special Investigation Task Group after the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Degamo and eight other individuals have been placed under the witness protection program.

However, Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the task group, did not disclose which of the four are state witnesses.

The four arrested suspects are Joric Labrador, 50 years old, an ex-army, resident of Cagayan De Oro; Joven Aber, 42 years old, an ex-army ranger, resident of Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Benjie Rodriguez, 45 years old, a native of Mindanao; and Osmundo Rivero, a former soldier from Zamboanga City.

They are facing multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges after the death of Degamo and eight other individuals.

“When we forwarded the complaints to the DOJ (Department of Justice), when we referred the cases, control of the prosecution is in their hands already so they will assess if they will be qualified to become state witnesses. Our job is just to turn them over,” Pelare said. (with a report from Ven Rebo Arigo via FB)

CIDG raids Rep. Teves’ houses in Negros Oriental amid murder complaints

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided several houses allegedly owned by Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Friday morning, March 10, 2023. 

The CIDG said they seized guns, grenade, and ammunition from the properties of Teves in Basay town.

The raid came just three days after murder complaints were filed against Teves and five others before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the alleged killings of three persons in 2019. The complainants accused Teves of masterminding the murders of their relatives who were involved in a land dispute with him.

Teves is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and served as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from December 7, 2020 until June 1, 2022. He was also linked to illegal e-gambling operations in his district in 2018 but denied any involvement.

Teves has not issued any statement regarding the raid and the murder complaints as of press time.