‘Senate probe on Degamo murder may solve other slays’

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate inquiry into the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo that starts today may uncover the truth behind other reported killings in the province, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa, who chairs the committee on public order and dangerous drugs that will probe the Degamo case in aid of legislation, yesterday said the panel has invited to the first hearing some 30 witnesses and resource persons, including families of victims of killings.

He stressed the aim of the inquiry is not to duplicate the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) nor is it limited to pinpointing possible perpetrators of the killing of Degamo and other victims, but to formulate legislation to address policy gaps and “improve our public order.”

“We have to work and it’s our responsibility to take up the resolutions from plenary. So, we must do this (inquiry), especially more than 30 resource persons invited: witnesses to violence and killings in Negros Oriental, other than the Degamo killing, that up to now remain unsolved,” Dela Rosa told dzBB in Filipino, referring to the measures filed by his colleagues calling for the probe.

“Maybe it’s only now they (witnesses) have the courage (to speak out), and possibly their testimonies can be a great help to resolve the unsolved killings,” he said.

Dela Rosa said it was possible that the witnesses were not comfortable in reporting what they know to law enforcement agencies and feel that they could trust the committee, which they see as helping give justice to the victims.

He said the testimonies of the witnesses will be taken under oath so prosecutors can use them to file the appropriate charges against possible suspects.