DNA testing has confirmed that four of the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others last March 4 were at the crime scene, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Tuesday.
The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) testing conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the involvement of some of the suspects, Remulla said.
Lawyer Levito Baligod, the counsel of the Degamo family, also revealed that the DNA analysis confirmed the participation of four of the detained suspects: Rogelio C. Antipolo Jr., Winrich B. Isturis, John Louie L. Gonyon, and Jhudiel R. Rivero.
DNA samples were among the evidence submitted by the NBI to the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges it filed against alleged mastermind Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. and several others.
The DNA testing was conducted based on the blood samples taken from the crime scenes, according to Remulla.
“The DNA analysis showed that there are other pieces of evidence apart from statements. Even if they said they were not in the crime scene, their blood was there,” he said.
Since Teves is still abroad, he was not present during the preliminary investigation of the charges for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder filed against him in connection with the Degamo killing.
Remulla earlier tagged Teves as the “executive producer” of the plot to kill Degamo.
Teves has refused to return to the country after he was implicated by investigating authorities in the gruesome crime. The congressman is reportedly still in Timor-Leste, hoping for political asylum.
The DNA result would help the prosecution secure a conviction against the accused despite the recantation of their previous statements admitting participation in killing Degamo, Remulla added.
Teves and five other persons have been charged with 10 murder, 14 frustrated murder, and four attempted murder in the assassination of Degamo, the deaths of nine other persons, and injuries sustained by 18 others.
The solon and his co-accused have been subpoenaed to attend Wednesday’s preliminary hearing of the case at the DOJ and to submit their respective counter-affidavits.
But Remulla said the preliminary investigation did not push through with the failure of the accused as well as their lawyers to show up.
“The preliminary investigation did not push through because neither Teves nor his lawyers appeared,” the DOJ chief said.
But Remulla said the DOJ panel decided to give Teves and his lawyers until June 27 to appear before the department and answer the charges against them.
“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,” he warned.