MANILA – The Court of Appeals (CA) has rejected an appeal from two suspects involved in the March 4, 2023, assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
In a ruling issued on February 19, the CA’s 4th Division dismissed the petition of accused Joric Labrador and Benjie Rodriguez, who were identified as part of the group that stormed Degamo’s compound in Barangay San Isidro, Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
The attack resulted in Degamo’s death, the killing of eight others, and injuries to 17 individuals who had gathered to receive financial aid.
The CA upheld an earlier decision by Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 40, which had denied the motion to quash, and dismissed the petitioners’ claim that their recanted confessions should not be used against them.
The court emphasized that the extrajudicial confessions given by the suspects showed no signs of coercion, as they were informed of their rights and assisted by Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyers.
The CA also found the details in their confessions, which described the planning and execution of the assassination, to be consistent and credible, ruling that they could not have been fabricated under duress.
Although some other suspects initially confessed but later recanted, the case continues, with authorities working to secure the return of former Rep. Arnolfo Teves, who fled to Timor Leste after the attack.
elami/MNM
