THE Department of Justice (DOJ) will resume on Monday, July 17, the preliminary investigation into the multiple murder complaints filed against suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.
The charges are in connection with the high-profile murder of provincial governor Roel Degamo and several other civilians.
During the upcoming hearing, the suspects, particularly those in detention, are expected to file their counter-affidavits.
In the previous hearing, defense counsel Atty. Andres Manuel stated that they are still deliberating whether to submit a counter-affidavit or pursue another form of pleading.
Manuel revealed that this decision follows their recent acquisition of requested documents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Additionally, Manuel disclosed that five more suspects involved in the killings have formally retracted their previous statements.
This development raises the total number of detained suspects who have recanted their statements to ten.
According to Manuel, Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio Gonyon, John Louie Gonyon, Winrich Isturis, and Joric Labrador affirmed their recantations through the online platform Zoom.
They submitted their sworn affidavits during the panel hearing, which were unanimously affirmed by all five individuals, as conveyed by Manuel in a chance interview with reporters.
In a recent update, suspects Romel Pattaguan, Dahniel Lora, Osmundo Rivero, Joven Javier, and Rogelio Antipolo have also confirmed their recantations.
Teves has consistently denied any involvement in the assassination of Degamo and has expressed his intention to return to the Philippines once his concerns regarding personal safety have been adequately addressed.
