Suspect in Degamo assassination recants testimony

By Rey Requejo

A DETAINED suspect in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and nine other persons in Pamplona town has recanted the testimony he previously gave to the police about the murders, his counter-affidavit to the Department of Justice showed.

In his counter-affidavit submitted before the DOJ on Monday, Jhudiel R. Rivero, also known as Osmundo Rivero, claimed he was tortured by the police to admit his participation in the Pamplona killings and to implicate suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves. Rivero was one of four suspects arrested after hot pursuit by the police after the March 4 incident.

However, the wife of the detained suspect “does not want to see him,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday, in response to the reported petition