After the recent arrest of 12 suspects, including a key figure he compared to a “casting director” and “producer” of the March 4 shooting in which eight other people died and at least 18 were wounded, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla declared the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo to be “99 percent solved.”
Secretary of the Interior Benhur Abalos claims that Marvin Miranda was instrumental in the planning and execution of the Degamo assassination by providing logistical and financial support, as well as recruiting the eleven hired killers, who were all former members of the Army. According to Remulla and Abalos, they had finally located the “missing link” in their pursuit of the “main mastermind”—Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental, Degamo’s longtime political foe.
Abalos claims that Teves, whom he refers to as “Boss Idol,” “Big Boss,” and “Kalbo,” gave Miranda orders. Teves said that Miranda, a military reservist, had been his bodyguard and security guard for many years.
According to Remulla, if Miranda was the director of casting and the producer of the assassination attempt on Degamo last month, then Teves was the “executive producer.” The assassins wore military uniforms and broke into Degamo’s home when he was hosting a meeting with supporters. According to him, it is fair to assume that Teves provided financial support for the assailants and the weapons they used in the attack. However, unlike fictional movies, this one is based on actual events. He confirmed that they had slain Governor Degamo and eight others and added that many others had been injured.
Teves, however, has not yet been charged or named as one of the respondents in the criminal complaint about Degamo’s murder, despite the grave comments of Abalos and Remulla.
Remulla stated that they could not press charges against Teves without first conducting a preliminary investigation so that he could respond to the allegations against him in a counter affidavit. That’s the one thing we’re holding out for. But other than that, the boxing match is over, and we’ve got all the [primary suspects] in custody.