The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples have confirmed the identities of four primary suspects in the Pamplona massacre which killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March.
Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla, during the preliminary investigation on Tuesday, June 13, said the blood samples were collected from vehicles and a helicopter reportedly used to ferry the suspects in the attack.
Levito Baligod, Degamo’s camp counsel, said the samples matched those of suspects Rogelio Antipolo Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Winrich Isturis, and Osmundo Rivero, as certified by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Kahit mag-recant ang mga shooter na ito, we can still successfully prosecute the cases,” Baligod said.
The suspects’ previous statements may still be used before they recant and deny knowledge in the killings.
“Kasi tine-teknikal nila, hindi raw nila natatanggap ang subpoena,” Remulla said.
“‘Yung kanilang change of statement, I think, made us more emotional. ‘Yung iniisip namin hindi rin kami talaga nagkamali na kapag ‘yung pera talagang gagapang na, maraming magbabago,” Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, who attended the preliminary investigation with other witnesses, said.
The second preliminary investigation is scheduled on June 27, allowing Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. the final opportunity to refute the claims that he was the alleged mastermind in the attack.
A notice of hearing said that the complainants would appear with their witnesses before the NBI on June 13 and 20.
Around 60 complainants and witnesses left for Manila on Monday, June 12, for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) preliminary investigation into the killings.
Meanwhile, respondents in the complaints were Teves, Angelou Palagtiw alias “Sister of Angelo Palagtiw,” a certain “Gee Ann” or “Jie Ann,” Niel Andrew Go, Captain Lloyd Cruz Garcia II, and Nigel Electona, as shown in the notice.
Degamo and nine others were killed while 16 were wounded in the mass shooting in Negros Oriental’s Pamplona town on March 4.
The governor was shot dead while distributing financial assistance to beneficiaries at his residential compound.
Teves was being tagged as the mastermind in the assassination. He repeatedly denied the allegations.
Remulla said if Teves continues to snub the hearings, the case may elevate before the courts.
“It has been said that he will not participate because he believes there is bias. Kaya, they will have to take it from there because if they could not take the process seriously, then we might as well go to court for this if they do not respect the DOJ to conduct the preliminary investigation,” Remulla said./With reports from PNA / WDJ