There are “voluminous” pieces of evidence that investigators have against Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. to pin him down for his alleged involvement in the March 4 killings of 10 persons in the province, including incumbent Gov. Roel R. Degamo.
“‘Wag siya mag-alala (Teves shouldn’t worry). The evidence is very tight here with us,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla declared on Monday, in response to insinuation by Teves’ lawyers there are no charges filed against the lawmaker for lack of evidence.
“There are many factual matters that have to be considered in such a case because we are talking about more than 10 suspects and more than 20 victims,” Remulla explained.
The Justice Secretary expressed hope that the criminal complaints against Teves will be filed within this week before the Department of Justice, in connection with the killings in Pamplona town in Negros Oriental.
“We’re looking at this week to finish it,” Remulla said, as he admitted that he met on Monday afternoon with one of the prosecutors involved in the investigation of the murder cases.
“They just want to firm up everything before they file the cases against Cong. Teves,” he said.
The DOJ has already filed charges against six arrested suspects for nine counts of murder as well as multiple counts of frustrated murder and serious physical injuries.
It was reported that one of those who were shot and hurt during the incident, Fredilino Cafe Jr., recently passed away, raising the total number of fatalities to 10.
With this development, Remulla said prosecutors will seek before the court the amendment of the charges already filed.
“They will just file a manifestation, the prosecutors, that one of the victims who was a complainant for frustrated murder had passed away, converting this case to a murder case,” he stressed.
