DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (File photo)
MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Monday said they now have a "strong evidence" to identify the mastermind behind the March 4 attack that resulted in the death of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
"Just so, baka mamaya sabihin niya (he might say) everyone is deemed innocent until his guilt is proven but right now this is what I assure him or kung sino man ang mastermind nito (whoever is the mastermind behind this). Malakas na ang aming ebidensya ngayon (We already have a strong evidence),’’ the DILG chief said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, without mentioning names.
Abalos also said most of the suspects who killed Degamo and several innocent individuals are already in the hands of authorities.
Citing that the suspects’ testimonies are not the only important facet in the case, Abalos noted that authorities now have the “forensics’’ pointing to the firearms, ammunition, explosives and other pieces of evidence seized by law enforcers.
Abalos also stressed that there is no person in his right mind that will collect a huge number of high-powered firearms, saying that the pieces of evidence are "crystal clear".
Dispelling claims that the evidence might be planted, Abalos showed the videos and photos of a backhoe digging into the compound of former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves where the pieces of evidence were uncovered.
He also insisted that the high-powered firearms were buried deep under the soil for future purposes. (PNA)
