MANILA — The alleged gunmen who killed Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others — later identified as former soldiers — were dishonorably discharged from service years ago, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad told INQUIRER.net on Monday.
Former soldiers Joric Labrador, 50; Joven Javier, 42; and Benjie Rodriguez, 45, were arrested on Saturday.
Trinidad said Labrador was discharged on March 23, 2014; Javier on January 5, 2018; and Rodriguez since July 20, 2009.
“They were discharged from military service for a long time. They do not conform with the standards of discipline we are requiring in the organization,” Trinidad said over the phone.
Trinidad said he has yet to verify the violations which led to their dishonorable discharge.
Degamo and eight provincial staff and constituents were killed while 16 others, including three provincial officials, were wounded in a gun attack in the governor’s residence in Pamplona town on Saturday, March 5.
Aside from the three suspects, two alleged gunmen were also arrested by joint forces of the police and the Philippine Army as of Sunday.
DOJ checks if 2 arrested suspects may be accepted under WPP
Two arrested suspects are willing to cooperate in the government’s investigation, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is now checking if they can be accepted under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
“Yung dalawa sa nahuli po na respondents, tinitingnan po ng DOJ kung pwede silang ipasok sa WPP dahil po kailangan muna natin evaluate mga statements nila,” DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano told reporters on Monday.
Criminal complaints have been filed against three suspects, namely Joven Aber, 42; Benjie Rodriguez, 45, and Joric Labrador, 50.
The three are facing complaints for multiple murders before the Provincial Prosecutor of Negros Oriental, and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act before the City Prosecutor of Bayawan.
“We are working closely with the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) for the transfer of the respondents who are currently detained to the NCR for protective custody,” Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Tan Felix said.
Hours after the assault, joint forces of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army arrested five suspects as they immediately launched pursuit operations.
The Army also said Monday that authorities have confiscated seven high-powered firearms allegedly used in the killing of Degamo and eight others. (John Eric Mendoza, Tetch Torres-Tupas © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
