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Pamplona massacre

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Coordinates: 9°24′16.9″N 123°01′14.8″E / 9.404694°N 123.020778°E / 9.404694; 123.020778
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Pamplona massacre
The residence of Roel Degamo few hours after the attack
LocationPamplona, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Coordinates9°24′16.9″N 123°01′14.8″E / 9.404694°N 123.020778°E / 9.404694; 123.020778
DateMarch 4, 2023; 17 months ago (2023-03-04)
c. 9:36 am (PhST)
TargetRoel Degamo
Attack type
Shooting, assassination
Deaths10 (including Degamo)
Injured12
MotiveUnder investigation, possibly politics

The Pamplona massacre was a mass shooting and assassination incident that took place at Pamplona, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. On March 4, 2023, at approximately 9:36 A.M. (PhST), a group of former members of the Philippine military stormed the residence of Roel Degamo, the governor of Negros Oriental, in Pamplona and killed Degamo, the target, as well as nine others. The attack happened during the distribution of aid to the local beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.[1][2] Degamo was rushed to a nearby provincial hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:41 A.M. (PhST).[3]

An investigation was launched by Philippine authorities after the attack. Politics is considered to be the primary motive behind the attack, as Degamo was involved in a contested May 2022 gubernatorial election which saw him assuming the office for a fourth term after winning an electoral protest against Pryde Henry Teves, who was proclaimed winner of the elections. Eleven suspects were arrested by the police in multiple operations across the province. Two of the suspects named a certain 'Cong Teves' as the mastermind in an ambush interview with the media.[4] Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was abroad during the attack, was suspended by the House of Representatives following his failure to return to the country to face investigation. The Philippine Senate also launched an inquiry regarding the incident, and invited the representative via teleconferencing but ultimately withdrew due to legal uncertainties. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla considers the representative to be the 'highest mastermind' of the attack.[5]

Background

Roel Degamo was the governor of Negros Oriental at the time of his assassination. He became governor in January 2011, after Governor Agustin Perdices died. Perdices himself assumed the post following the death of Governor Emilio Macias II. Degamo was elected governor in 2013 and secured fresh mandates in the 2016 and 2019 elections.[6]

Degamo ran for a fourth term in 2022 election, but lost to Pryde Henry Teves who was proclaimed governor. Degamo filed an electoral protest before the Commission on Elections. A recount was made, with votes for a nuisance candidate named Ruel Degamo considered as a vote for Roel Degamo. The final tally of the recount concluded Degamo as the winner and Teves' proclamation was nullified.[6] Degamo took oath as governor on October 5, 2022, while his rival Teves voluntarily stepped down from his position on October 11, 2022.[7][8]

Shooting

Degamo in 2019

On March 4, 2023, at approximately 9:36 a.m., Degamo was shot several times by unidentified men at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. He was distributing aid to local beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) conditional cash transfer program when the attack happened.[9][10] He was rushed to Negros Polymedic Hospital in Sibulan, but was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m.[11][12][13]

Eight other people were also killed in the shooting;[14] another died more than two months later.[2] The deaths include a barangay kagawad (councilor) and another civilian who were mistaken as Degamo's bodyguards.[15]

On March 16, 2023, Degamo was interred in their family mausoleum at his hometown of Siaton.[16][17]

Four suspects were arrested in Bayawan; while another died in an encounter with state forces.[18][19][20]

Suspects

Eleven suspects, all former military men, are under police custody by April 3; nine of them are former personnel while others were a reservist and a trainee. Six of them were arrested while the rest surrendered.[21][22][23] One of those arrested is one of the alleged masterminds, former Army reservist Marvin Miranda.[22][24]

Meanwhile, another suspect killed in pursuit operations was later identified as Arnil Labradilla of Bindoy, a former New People's Army rebel.[25]

Murder and frustrated murder charges were filed by Department of Justice prosecutors against four of those arrested (as listed below) as well as twelve John Does before the Tanjay Regional Trial Court (RTC); also, charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives against three of them before the Bayawan RTC.[26][27] Those indicted over the assassination include:[28][29][30]

Upon request by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, these criminal cases were later transferred by the Supreme Court to the Manila RTC[27] wherein the cases against seven more suspects, including Miranda, were later filed.[31] A total of 39 complaints have been filed in relation to the incident: ten for murder, 17 for frustrated murder and nine for attempted murder;[32] in addition to one for illegal possession of firearms and two for illegal possession of explosives.[21]

It was reported that there are "more or less" five other suspects.[33]

Alleged mastermind

The Degamo family speculates that the killing had a political motive pointing out previous killings in the province, some dating prior to the 2022 elections, of supporters of Roel Degamo.[34] The slain governor's wife and Pamplona mayor, Janice Degamo, believes that the mastermind is "very known in the country today" but did not specify any name.[35]

Joint Task Force Negros spokesperson Major Cenon Pancito III says that the mastermind could be a former soldier.[36]

'Cong Teves'

Suspects Labrador and Rodriguez on March 9, 2023, pinned a certain "Cong Teves" as the mastermind of the shooting. They testified that they were tasked to kill the governor and was told that the provincial executive was a drug lord. They said they had not met this individual personally.[37][38]

Among the politicians of Negros Oriental who have served as congressman or a member of the House of Representatives who bear the Teves family name is Degamo's rival Arnolfo Teves Jr., and former governor Pryde Henry Teves.[39][38]

In a privilege speech in Congress, Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) party-list representative Jose "Bong" Teves Jr. clarified that he was not the "Cong. Teves" referred to by the suspects. He pointed out, that despite sharing his family name with the Teveses of Negros island, that his family hails from Catanduanes in the Bicol Region.[40]

Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Earlier, to dispel speculations that he was involved in the killing, Degamo's rival Arnolfo Teves Jr. said he was undergoing stem cell treatment outside the Philippines at the time of the attack and therefore could not have planned the assassination. He also pointed out that his brother Pryde Teves could not replace Degamo as governor and that the vice governor is his only suitable successor by law. Pryde Teves was unseated and replaced by Degamo after a recount of the 2022 election results.[41]

Teves Jr. was last known to be in the United States for medical treatment.[42] He refused to go home to the Philippines, citing concerns over his safety. By April 2023, his whereabouts became unknown, with the Department of Justice saying he is in Cambodia, and Senator Joel Villanueva saying he was sighted in South Korea.[43][44]

On May 9, Teves had an application to seek political asylum in Timor Leste rejected.[45] The following day the Department of Justice was informed that a blue notice was issued against Teves by Interpol.[46]

Investigation

The Degamo family is open to suspects being placed under the government's witness protection program (WPP), to aid the investigation on the case.[47] Two suspects were placed under the WPP.[30]

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also disclosed that they have retrieved a video of the suspects discussing the planning of the assassination.[48]

Senate hearing

The Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee launched a probe on the killing of Degamo. The first public hearing was held on April 17, 2023.[49]

Suspect Arnolfo Teves Jr. was to join via video teleconferencing but the Senators disproved his participation over uncertainty of whether he would be legally able to testify under oath. At that time, Teves Jr. is believed to be abroad but his precise location is publicly unknown.[50] Senator Francis Tolentino pointed out that Teves could be able to testify under oath in future hearings by appearing physically in one of the Philippines' diplomatic missions and a military attaché could enforce a contempt order when needed.[49] Senator Ronald dela Rosa initially allowed Teves to participate virtually in the hearings, a move which was opposed by the widow of the deceased Governor Degamo who believes it would be unfair to those would attend physically to give a 'fugitive' such accommodation.[51]

Response

President Bongbong Marcos attended Roel Degamo's wake and vowed to "bring justice" in Negros Oriental.[47] Marcos and other governors from other provinces condemned the killing.[52] Marcos would order the formation of a special panel of prosecutors to look into killings in Negros Oriental including Degamo's assassination.[53]

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos issued a directive calling for the replacement of all police personnel in Negros Oriental following the assassination.[29]

The Commission on Elections vowed faster resolution of election-related protests after Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the Teves–Degamo electoral protest is related to the assassination.[54] Senate President Migz Zubiri described the shooting as an act of political terrorism.[55]

The Region 7 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided ₱513 thousand worth of financial assistance to the survivors and relatives of those who died from the incident.[56]

References

  1. ^ "BREAKING: Negros Oriental Governor Dead At 56 After An Armed Attack | News and Updates". The Negros Times. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Argosino, Faith (May 8, 2023). "Another victim of Pamplona massacre dies; death toll climbs to 10". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo killed in attack". Rappler. March 4, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Suspects say 'Cong Teves' ordered hit on Degamo". GMA News Online. March 9, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  5. ^ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (April 4, 2023). "Teves considered 'highest mastermind' in Degamo slay". Philstar. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Who is Roel Degamo, the slain Negros Oriental governor?". Rappler. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "2 governors fighting over Negros Oriental seat". Inquirer.net. October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Partlow, Mary Judaline (October 11, 2022). "Teves steps down as 'governor' of Negros Oriental". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  9. ^ Cabanban, Seth (March 4, 2023). "Negros Oriental governor shot inside home by group of men". CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, others hurt in shooting —police". GMA Integrated News. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo killed in attack". Rappler. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "6 key developments on the shooting incident that killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo". SunStar. March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Yap, Tara (March 4, 2023). "Negros Oriental governor, 5 others dead in broad daylight shooting". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  14. ^ Pal, Alex (March 4, 2023). "Death toll in Negros Oriental shooting rises to 9; 14 others hurt". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  15. ^ Espina, Marchel (March 13, 2023). "2 victims of Pamplona massacre mistaken for bodyguards of governor". SunStar. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  16. ^ Brier, Kaye (March 17, 2023). "Cries of justice ring out in Degamo burial". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Lomotan, Roi Anthoni (March 17, 2023). "Slain NegOr guv laid to rest". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  18. ^ Cruz, Tonyo (March 4, 2023). ""The Negros Times" reports that former Army tagged as shooters in the ambush that killed Gov. Roel Degamo and other civilians have been arrested en route to Bayawan City in Negros Oriental". Twitter. Retrieved March 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ GMA Integrated News (March 5, 2023). "PNP: One suspect in Degamo assassination killed in encounter; death toll now 9". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  20. ^ Pal, Alex (March 5, 2023). "5th suspect in murder of Negros Oriental governor nabbed". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Patag, Kristine Joy (March 20, 2023). "Another suspect, tagged as main player in the killing of Degamo, surrenders". Philstar.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Macasero, Ryan (April 3, 2023). "Teves' bodyguard a 'co-mastermind' in Degamo slay, says gov't task force". Rappler. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (March 21, 2023). "Remulla: Four new suspects in Degamo killing surrender". Philstar.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
    Argosino, Faith (March 22, 2023). "10 suspects in Degamo killing now under police custody, says DILG chief". Inquirer.net. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  24. ^ Gerg, Cahiles (April 3, 2023). "Degamo's widow says nabbed 'mastermind' had plans to kill gov since 2020". CNN Philippines. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  25. ^ "Degamo slay suspect killed in pursuit operations identified as ex-rebel". Rappler. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Hachero, Ashzel (March 8, 2023). "DOJ: 4 suspects in gov's slay case agree to help probers". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Casilao, Joahna Lei (March 8, 2023). "Supreme Court OKs transfer of Degamo cases to Manila RTC". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (March 6, 2023). "Criminal raps filed vs 3 suspects in Degamo killing". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Abalos orders replacement of all police personnel in Negros Oriental after Degamo slay". GMA News. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  30. ^ a b "2 of 4 arrested suspects in Pamplona Massacre turned over to Witness Protection Program". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  31. ^ Navallo, Mike (April 5, 2023). "Alleged mastermind in Degamo slay faces multiple murder raps". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  32. ^ Tupas, Emmanuel (July 8, 2023). "Despite recantations, evidence vs Degamo suspects strong – PNP". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Remaining suspects in Degamo slay still in Negros —police". GMA News. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  34. ^ Sararaña, Pegeen (March 6, 2023). "Degamo family eyes politics as motive in killing of Negros Oriental governor". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  35. ^ "Mayor has idea on who masterminded Negros Oriental governor's slay". ABS-CBN News. March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  36. ^ "Degamo slay brains believed to be former soldier". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  37. ^ "WATCH | Cong. Arnulfo Teves, Jr. gintudlo sang 2 ka suspects nga mastermind sa pagpatay kay Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo – Aksyon Radyo Iloilo". Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. ^ a b "Suspects say 'Cong Teves' ordered hit on Degamo". GMA News. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  39. ^ Manalaysay, Mike. "Karibal sa pulitika ng napatay na gobernador, nagsalita na. Mga naarestong suspek sinampahan na ng kaso". arkipelagonews.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  40. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (March 15, 2023). "TGP rep: I'm not the Teves linked to Degamo killing". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  41. ^ Bayoran, Gilbert (March 7, 2023). "Political rival says nothing to gain from Degamo killing". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  42. ^ Vigilia, Wendell (March 20, 2023). "House to Teves: Show up today or face sanctions". Malaya Business Insights. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  43. ^ Chi, Cristina (April 17, 2023). "Teves still refuses to return to the country amid terrorist tag threat". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  44. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (April 17, 2023). "Teves still mum about his whereabouts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  45. ^ "Timor-Leste denies Teves' application for political asylum". CNN Philippines. May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  46. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (May 10, 2023). "Interpol notice issued vs. Arnie Teves, says Remulla". GMA News. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  47. ^ a b Tomacruz, Sofia (March 8, 2023). "Marcos visits Degamo's wake, vows justice in Negros Oriental". Rappler. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  48. ^ "5 key updates on the investigation into the Degamo assassination". Sunstar. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  49. ^ a b "Senators thumb down Teves' appeal to virtually join Senate probe on Degamo killing". Manila Bulletin. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  50. ^ Bordey, Hana (April 17, 2023). "Senate panel blocks Arnie Teves' virtual attendance in Degamo killing probe". GMA News. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  51. ^ Border, Hana (April 14, 2023). "Degamo's wife dismayed over Bato's decision to allow Teves to virtually attend Senate probe". GMA News. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  52. ^ Palaubsanon, Mitchelle; Antojado-Orillaneda, Le Phyllis F. (March 5, 2023). "Marcos condemns Degamo killing, assures justice". The Freeman. The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  53. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (March 14, 2023). "Marcos orders formation of panel of prosecutors for Negros Oriental killings". GMA News. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  54. ^ Patag, Kristine Joy (March 8, 2023). "After Degamo slay, Comelec vows faster resolution of poll protests". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  55. ^ "Zubiri on Pamplona massacre: This is political terrorism". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  56. ^ Tilos, Jennifer (March 15, 2023). "DSWD7 extends over P513k aid to Pamplona massacre victims, survivors". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
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