Political rival says nothing to gain from Degamo killing

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A political rival of murdered Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo has broken his silence to dispel insinuations he had a hand in the killing, saying somebody wanted to pin him down for the attack, which also killed several others last Saturday.

In a video post on Facebook, Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. said he was abroad for stem cell treatment at the time of the attack and that he could not have plotted the assassination from which he would not benefit.

“Even if he was a rival in politics, I still wish to condemn the brutal death that Gov. Degamo faced, along with several others who also died. I extend my condolences to the families that have been left behind. It hurts truly to have your loved ones die,” Teves said.

Degamo was helping distribute cash assistance to constituents at his residential compound in Pamplona, Negros Oriental when attacked in broad daylight. Eight others were killed in the attack carried out by six men in military uniforms.

“Kung may balak man ako o may kakayahan na gawin ito, di sana ginawa ko na ito bago pa mag eleksyon. Ano ang motibo kung ngayon ko ito gagawin? Hindi rin magiging benepisyaryo ako, o ang kapatid ko (If I had a plan or the capability to do this, I would have done it before the elections. What could have been my motive for this? Neither my brother nor I would benefit from this),” he said.

Teves’ brother Pryde was unseated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after a recount, which paved the way for Degamo’s takeover as provincial governor.

Teves stressed that it’s the vice governor, and not his brother, who is set to take over the post which became vacant after Degamo’s death.

The Negros Oriental lawmaker also called on President Marcos to help him recover at least 12 registered firearms seized by the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office for several violations on gun possession. He also lamented the recall of his security detail by the PNP.

Last January, the PNP revoked the licenses for his firearms due to lack of documents.

After receiving reports on issuance of search warrants on owners of unlicensed firearms, Teves said he was surrendering his other weapons, stressing that “no one is above the law.”

“I am not fighting against the government. Who is Arnie to fight against the government? I am just an ordinary person,” he said.

This developed as Speaker Martin Romualdez said both the national and local government have already “restored peace and order in Negros Oriental.”

“The local government is fully functional and in control of the situation with the swearing-in of the new governor and vice-governor,” he said.

“Let me reiterate the warning of President Marcos to criminals: you can run but you cannot hide. There will be no sacred cows in our fight against criminality. Malaking tao man o may impluwensiya, hahabulin namin kayo at papanagutin sa mga kasalanan ninyo,” Romualdez said.

Reps. Jose Francisco Benitez of Negros Occidental, Julienne Baronda of Iloilo City, and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte also condemned the Degamo murder, which was undertaken right at the governor’s home.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of Degamo. Violence has no place in the Negros Island. I join the call to bring to justice the individuals who committed this despicable act,” Benitez said.

Baronda called on the PNP to “leave no stone unturned in making the perpetrators face the full force of the law.”

“I urge the authorities to spare no effort in investigating these crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The rule of law must be upheld, and those who commit violent acts must be held accountable for their actions,” Barbers said. – Delon Porcalla