By Rey E. Requejo
Five more accused in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo have affirmed the recantation of their testimonies pinning down suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the killing.
Atty. Andres Manuel, Teves’ legal counsel, stressed Winrich Isturis, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, and Eulogio and John Louie Gonyon sustained their recantations virtually on Monday.
“The five respondents submitted their sworn statements and affirmed these statements before the panel through Zoom,” Manuel said.
Last week, accused Romel Pattaguan, Dahniel Lora, Osmundo Rivero, Joven Javier, and Rogelio Antipolo affirmed their recantations.
According to Andres, the recantations will give them the basis to question the multiple murder complaints filed against Teves.
“As we said before, we believe that our case is anchored on these recantations,” the lawyer said.
“Without the recantations, we believe that this is enough to question if it is still suitable to file a case against Congressman Teves,” the counsel of the respondents said.
Officials of the Department of Justice previously expressed confidence that the case remains solid despite the recantations of the suspects, stressing that they have evidence against Teves.
Meanwhile, Manuel said the National Bureau of Investigation has given them the documents that they requested.
The lawyer said they would look into whether they will file a counter-affidavit on the next hearing on July 17 or another pleading.
Degamo and nine others were killed while several others were injured after an attack on the late governor’s home in Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023
Teves, who is out of the country and has refused to return citing threat to his life, has repeatedly denied involvement in the killing.
