Remulla: Almost entire ‘attack team’ in custody
BY ASHZEL HACHERO and WENDELL VIGILIA
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said nearly the entire “attack team” that killed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and eight others last March 4 are in government custody with the surrender of four more suspects.
Remulla described the four as “major players” in the killing of Degamo, like the first one who surrendered last Friday.
“There have been four extra surrenders in the Degamo case, and almost, we almost have all the people there as part of the team that attacked Governor Degamo and almost all of them are in custody,” Remulla told reporters in an ambush interview.
“We’re still looking for three more people pero (but) the attack team, they’re almost accounted for,” he added.
Remulla said the four are all former military personnel like the first one who surrendered.
He said an active military man facilitated the surrender of the four suspects.
Remulla also said Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr sent a text message saying he wants to talk.
“He wants to talk to me but I haven’t given an answer because we’re still busy doing what we’re doing. I don’t want it to distract me on what I have to do first,” Remulla said.
Teves, who has been tagged in Degamo’s killing by some suspects who were arrested shortly after the attack, defied an ultimatum issued on Monday by the House committee on ethics for him to show up yesterday, prompting lawmakers to impose disciplinary action against him.
Panel chair by Rep. Felimon Espares (PL, COOP NATCO) said while the committee has reached a decision, he could not yet disclose what actions will be taken against Teves. He said the committee on rules has to first refer the panel’s report and recommendation to the plenary today.
“We’ve given Rep. Teves enough time,” Espares told reporters after the 24 hours given by the committee to Teves ended yesterday afternoon. “The committee is not at liberty to disclose to the public the contents of the report and recommendation. We will know tomorrow (Wednesday) once our report and recommendation is accepted and discussed by House members.”
TURNOVER
Remulla said the four will be turned over to the Department of Justice today.
“They surrendered through the military kasi mga military personnel ito. So, they’re now in custody already and will be turned over to us tomorrow. They’re on the way here and we hope they will be here by tonight and will be turned over to us in the morning,” he said.
However, the DOJ chief said the four have yet to give their initial statements.
On Monday, Remulla along with Interior Secretary and Special Task Force Degamo head Benhur Abalos and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Andres Centino announced in a press briefing that a former military man with “direct participation” in the attack on Degamo surrendered to the military in Negros last Friday.
Remulla said the suspect corroborated the testimonies of the four arrested suspects linking Teves to the crime.
Teves has denied any link or knowledge of Degamo’s killing.
Remulla said he does not know Teves’ whereabouts.
He said if he would talk to Teves, it would be in the presence of some persons “because I don’t want words twisted, so if I talk to him, it would be in front of other people.”
Despite the expiration of his clearance to travel to the United States last March 9, Teves has yet to return to the country, prompting the DOJ last Saturday to say they will ask the Interpol to put him on its Blue Notice to monitor and track his whereabouts.
Teves has raised concerns on his and his family’s safety in refusing to surface.
SANCTIONS
Espares said Teves’ refusal to heed the committee order to appear before the panel has left them with no choice but to wrap up its investigation without his valid explanation.
Teves is facing sanctions ranging from a simple reprimand to suspension or expulsion, depending on the panel’s decision.
A reprimand can be carried on the floor by a simple majority vote while suspension and expulsion needs a vote of two-thirds of all members of the House.
The governor’s widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, said last Sunday she has signed a petition urging congressmen to expel Teves but the Office of the Speaker said it has yet to receive a copy of it.
Espares said lawmakers still have no idea where Teves is. His last known location was the United States where he said he had medical treatment.
The ethics panel on Monday shot down the request of Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio for his client to be allowed to participate in the hearing via online platform. Topacio said the House has not yet issued a direct order compelling Teves to physically attend.
Topacio, in a radio interview yesterday, said Section 12 of the House Rules allows the conduct of plenary sessions through electronic platforms, a policy adopted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the request for Teves to be allowed to participate in the plenary session was also denied “when they (House leadership) was saying they wanted to hear Rep. Teves’ side of the story.”
Topacio said his client does not have confidence that the PNP will be able to secure his safety since policemen, including elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, were the ones who allegedly planted evidence against him when they raided one of his houses where firearms were allegedly seized.
