THE camp of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo yesterday said DNA samples obtained by investigators during the March 4 attack at his residence in Pamplona town matched those of four suspects in custody.
This means that despite the recantation of the suspects claiming they had nothing to do with Degamo’s killing, the case against them will still prosper, said lawyer Levito Baligod.
He said the specimen from the vehicle used by the shooters and the blood stains matched with those of the suspects.
“Despite the recantation of the shooters, we can still successfully prosecute these cases. We have a copy of the NBI DNA test over some specimens recovered in the vehicle used by the suspects and it matched the sample sa compound ni Governor Degamo,” Baligod told reporters after yesterday’s hearing on the multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder complaints against suspended Negros Oriental District Rep. and alleged mastermind Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves.
“That’s why we are saying that even though the shooters have recanted, we can still successfully prosecute the case,” he added.
Baligod said the DNA samples, after analysis, matched those of Eulogia Gonyon Jr., Winrich Isturis, Osmundo Rivero, and Rogelio Antipolo Jr.
“DNA test results are one of the highest forms of evidence. It is admissible in court and it is difficult to refute,” Baligod said.
The NBI submitted the DNA results to the panel of state prosecutors handling the preliminary investigation of the case against Teves.
Aside from the DNA result, Baligod said statements of witnesses corroborated footage taken by closed-circuit TV on the attack on Degamo and can be used to pin down the other suspects to the crime.
“Although the CCTV could not recognize their faces, it matched the statements of the witnesses with those you can see in the CCTV and we can positively identify them,” he said.
Baligod expressed confidence the suspects will eventually “return” to their previous statements taken before the recantation.
“I can assure you all of that,” he said, though he declined to explain the reason for his optimism.
The hearing was attended by the 10 suspects in the killing, members of the Degamo family including his widow Pamplona mayor Janice Degamo, and relatives of other victims in the shooting at the governor’s residence.
Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio did not attend the hearing.
It was also the first time that Mrs.Degamo faced the accused since they recanted their testimonies.
Degamo said she did not get the opportunity to talk to the suspects in Tuesday’s hearing.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said Teves, who has not surfaced, is the main mastermind in the killing, a claim the lawmaker has repeatedly denied.
