MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday deemed as “case closed” the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
“Tapos na po, nakita na natin, kumbaga sa pulis, case closed na ito, prosecution na tayo pagkatapos,” Remulla said during a press conference at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“But we know who masterminded it — at least two of them — and who did it, yung labing-isang pinakita natin kanina,” he added.
Degamo and eight provincial staff members 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 last March 4.
A military reservist acted as the “casting director” in the killing of Degamo, Remulla said.
The suspect, which Remulla said is considered one of the masterminds, is Marvin Halaman Miranda.
Miranda is responsible for the recruitment of persons that would be part of the attack as well as the firearms that would be used, said Remulla.
“Hindi middleman ‘yun. Tingin namin ano, parang mastermind na rin siya kasi siya ‘yung kausap lagi na kumuha ng tao, kumuha ng armas, pati yung mag re-recruit ng tao; pati yung number ng tao na huling dumating nung, plinaplano nila. ‘Yung pagplano pa lang nung pag galaw, kasama na ‘yun,” Remulla told reporters. (John Eric Mendoza, Tetch Torres-Tupas © Philippine Daily Inquirer)/PN
