Degamo widow sees ‘hope’ for justice
DUMAGUETE CITY—The widow of slain Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo welcomed the inclusion of another scion of the Teves clan as suspect in the crime and hoped that justice would soon be served.
Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona town welcomed the move of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to ask the Department of Justice to implead former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves in the murder of Roel and nine other individuals in March 2023.
Henry, who is running for governor in the May elections, is the younger brother of expelled Rep. Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind behind the massacre.
The Inquirer tried but failed to reach Pryde Henry for comment. He was also silent on his very active Facebook page “Governor Henry Teves,” where up until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, he had one post, a video greeting on the fiesta celebration of Bayawan City.
Janice, on the other hand, posted a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, blaming her husband’s death on the Teveses.
“When my husband and nine of our fellow NegOrenses were brutally murdered in our home, NegOrenses knew, without a doubt, who was responsible for the horrific crime,” Janice said.
“Which is why, I have tirelessly fought for over a year to ensure that every member of the (Teves group) face justice for their crimes against my fellow NegOrenses,” she added.
Janice, now a candidate for representative of the third congressional district of the province, is allied with Pryde Henry’s opponent, reelectionist Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, the former vice governor who assumed the post after Degamo’s death.
Still a long way
Janice said she was grateful there were still government officials and personnel who helped her family attain justice.
“Fortunately, our fight is not without hope, as brave men and women within the government have joined us in taking a stand against evil and corruption by continuing to aid us as we strive to achieve justice, peace and prosperity in our beloved province,” she said.
According to Janice, the fight for justice had not been easy: “Through deception, coercion and corruption, the Teves(es) have prolonged the criminal proceedings against them. Even now, Arnolfo Teves, who financed my husband’s death, enjoys a life of luxury in Timor-Leste.”
Roel and nine others was murdered by a group of armed men who barged inside his residential compound in Pamplona on March 4, 2023.
Eleven suspects were arrested and linked Arnolfo to the crime but most have recanted their confessions. But this did not stop the prosecutors from filing charges against Arnolfo.
