• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Oriental third district representative-elect Janice Degamo is looking forward to facing her dismissed predecessor, Arnolfo Teves, in court to bring justice to the killing of her husband, then Governor Roel Degamo, and nine other victims.
In a statement on Wednesday (May 28), Degamo described the arrest of the former lawmaker as a “significant step toward justice, not only for our family, but for the people of Negros Oriental and the entire nation who were shaken by the horrific footage of my husband and nine others being mercilessly gunned down on March 4th 2023.”
Degamo defeated Teves’ aunt, Janice Teves Gaston, in the third district congressional race.
“For over two years, our call has been clear and unwavering, that those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable, no matter how far they run or how long they hide,” Degamo said.
The former congressman was arrested by immigration officers early Wednesday in Timor Leste, where he sought asylum, as confirmed by his son, Axl, on his Facebook post.
“I am making this video to inform everyone that my father, Arnie Teves, has been kidnapped and abused,” the younger Teves said in a social media post.
Teves allegedly masterminded the killing of Degamo and nine others inside the governor’s residential compound in Pamplona town, but Teves has strongly debunked the accusations against him.
He refused to return to the Philippines, saying he is a subject of political persecution. Degamo, in a radio interview, said that the arrest of Teves “is what we have been praying for all along.”
She added that if the former lawmaker believes that he has nothing to do with the murder cases, there is nothing wrong with coming home and facing justice.
“He has to have the balls to come home and face justice,” she said.
She added that the arrest of Teves should serve as reminder that “no one is above the law.”
Degamo said they are looking forward to the proper legal proceedings that will bring lasting peace to Negros Oriental, and bring long overdue justice for her husband and hundreds of other victims. | GB
