Group behind Negros slays DOJ: 7 to 10 people did Degamo, other killings; Abalos rips Teves 'script'

By Rey E. Requejo

JUSTICE Secretary

Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday tagged a group of seven to 10 people being behind a string of killings in Negros Oriental, the latest of which was the assassination of the provincial governor, Roel Degamo.

"We are looking at a group of people, an organization within Negros Oriental that is possibly involved in this," Remulla said. "Maybe a group of seven to ten people may be involved here in the murders that we are talking about.”

The government is investigating the killings following the March 4 assassination of Degamo, who was slain in a hail of bullets along with eight other people at his home in Pamplona town.

Authorities are closing in on the mastermind and have strong evidence against the person, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday.

Asked for his reaction to Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.'s remark that Degamo's slaying was part of "a script" to pin him down, Abalos said it was up to the congressman what to think.

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