Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. yesterday revealed that they now have “strong evidence” to identify the mastermind behind the March 4 attack that resulted in the death of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Abalos said most of the suspects who carried out the attack that killed Degamo and several innocent individuals, are already in the hands of authorities.
“Malakas na ang aming ebidensya ngayon (We already have strong evidence),’’ the DILG chief said, without mentioning names.
Citing that the suspects’ testimonies are not the only important facet in the case, Abalos noted that authorities now have the forensics pointing to the firearms, ammunition, explosives and other pieces of evidence seized by law enforcers.
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Sunday seized more firearms and ammunition in another search on the premises of a sugar mill in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
Dispelling claims that the evidence might be planted, Abalos showed the videos and photos of a backhoe digging into the ground at the compound of former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves, where the pieces of evidence were uncovered.
He also insisted that the high-powered firearms were buried deep under the soil for future purposes.
Abalos also stressed that no person in his right mind that will collect a huge number of high-powered firearms, saying that the pieces of evidence are “crystal clear”.* PNA reports with GPB
