BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two arrested suspects in the murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo were placed under the Witness Protection Program by the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday afternoon.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Special Investigation Task Group Degamo, said the two suspects revealed vital information that could solve the crime.
He said the two were immediately flown to Manila and will be detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, while the other suspects are still in the custody of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO).
Pelare also confirmed all personnel of the Bayawan City Police Station have been relieved from their posts and were replaced by personnel from other police stations in Negros Oriental.
Police said ballistic examination of the assault rifles recovered in Bayawan on March 4 had fingerprints matching those of the arrested suspects.
The five arrested suspects were identified as former soldiers Joric Labrado of Cagayan de Oro City, Joven Aber of La Castellana, Negros Occidental and Benjie Rodriguez of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental; Rickyvelle Luces, formerly a corporal in the Philippine Marine Corps and resident of Barangay Lantad, Silay City, Negros Occidental; and Osmindo Rivero.
Another suspect was killed in a shootout with law enforcement.
Public viewing of Degamo
The remains of Degamo will be moved to the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol today to allow the public to pay their respects.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, Grace Agabon, public information officer of the Negros Oriental capitol, said the late governor’s remains will lie in state at the capitol building in Dumaguete City until Sunday, March 12.
Agabon said on March 13, Degamo’s remains will be transported to his hometown in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton.
The internment date will be announced later although Agabon stated Degamo will be buried beside his parents and sister.
On Saturday, March 4, Degamo along with eight other civilians were killed by gunmen who attacked his house in Pamplona town./PN