WHAT REMAINS. The wake of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo will be at his residence in Barangay Junob, Dumaguete City until Wednesday (March 8, 2023). He will be transferred to the provincial capitol the following day and taken to his hometown in Siaton municipality on March 13. (Courtesy of Provincial Government of Negros Oriental)
MANILA – The four primary suspects in the gruesome killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo have been transferred to Manila, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday.
The “swift transportation” from Dumaguete City was arranged by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7 (Central Visayas), according to DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano in a statement.
Two of the four respondents who previously expressed their intention to cooperate were turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Early this afternoon, two respondents likewise expressed their intention to cooperate,” Clavano said.
A criminal charge for three counts of murder and frustrated murder have been filed before the Tanjay, Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court (RTC) against Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Osmundo Rivero, and twelve other John Does.
Separate charges for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives were filed against three of the respondents before the Bayawan City RTC.
“The DOJ is also in coordination with the PNP for any future cases that may be filed in relation to the incident. This includes inquests from any arrests that may arise from continuing hot pursuit operations as well as any complaints for preliminary investigation,” Clavano added.
Degamo was gunned down inside his residential compound in Pamplona town on March 4 while his constituents were obtaining assistance.
Eight others were killed, including a security aide at the gate and a female village chief.
Dishonorably dismissed soldiers Labrador, Javier, and Rodriguez were arrested in Bayawan within the day, one was killed in an encounter at night and Rivero, also a former soldier turned cab driver, nabbed the morning after the killings.
Degamo’s wake began Monday at his residence in Purok Babajuba, Barangay Junob, Dumaguete City and will be transferred to the capitol on Thursday.
He will then be taken to his hometown in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton town on March 13.
He will be buried beside his parents and sister at a still undetermined date. (PNA)
