MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:14 p.m.) — Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental) could be one of the masterminds in the brazen killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, where eight others were killed and more than a dozen were injured, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.
In an interview with reporters on Monday, Remulla said the department is looking at two to four possible masterminds in the killing. He said that at this stage, investigators already know what happened.
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"It’s just a matter of catching more people and filing more cases against more people but we still have suspects part of the conspiracy that we have yet to arrest," Remulla said partly in Filipino.
Asked if the masterminds are within reach of authorities, Remulla said there is always social media and one of them even texted him.
"I told you about it last week. [Congressman] Teves texted me. I think they’re being considered as masterminds but I don’t know yet. I have to get to the panel of prosecutors," he said.
"But right now, with the way it is progressing, that’s the direction we are heading to," Remulla also said.
More criminal raps coming
So far, authorities have "10 to 11" suspects in their custody; one was killed in hot pursuit operation.
Remulla said they hope to file the complaints by the end of this week. “By Friday, at least the end of the month, we can have this filed already. Some of them bfore the courts, but for the rest of the suspects who surrendered, hopefully, we have charges filed by Friday,” the justice chief told reporters.
Teves and his lawyers have denied his involvement in the killing. His lawyers have also said that he is not hiding or evading charges but is staying outside the country because of concerns for his safety and over whether he will be treated fairly if he returns.
In a separate interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source” earlier Monday, Remulla said they believe a criminal organization involved in assassination and illegal gambling are involved in the killing of Degamo.
IED dug up at Teves bro's sugar mill
As investigation into Degamo slay rolls, authorities have also implemented search warrants in properties of the Teveses and on Sunday, police presented to media explosives and more firearms unearthed from the sugar mill compound of Pryde Henry Teves, the congressman's brother and a former district representative himself.
"The [improvised explosive device] that were found were consistent with the statements made by one of those [suspects] who came in later… he saw somebody preparing IEDs," Remulla said.
"They were kept in a facility that was very near there and what they call a ‘safe house,’" he continued.
While the justice secretary noted that names were not mentioned, "the ownership of the safe house is the one that is important there and I believe it's owned and controlled by the Teveses."
Remulla said a preliminary investigation — where existence of probable cause is determined — will be conducted into the incident.