3 suspects in Degamo slay found guilty of illegal possession of gun, bombs

Three of the six suspected gunmen in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo are arrested in pursuit operations Sitio Punong, Barangay Cansumalig, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. The arrest came seven hours after the attack that took place inside the governor’s house. (Contributed photos) MANILA, Philippines—A Manila court has found three former Army soldiers, who were earlier linked to the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, guilty of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 40, in an Aug. 18 decision, convicted Joric Labrador of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. It also found Joven Javier and Benjie Rodriguez guilty of one count each of unlawful possession of explosives in connection with the assassination of Degamo in March 2023. Article continues after this advertisement Labrador was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, while Javier and Rodriguez were meted a prison term of reclusion perpetua or 20 years. The court also directed that the firearm and explosives seized from the three accused be handed over to the Philippine National Police.These items include a .45 caliber pistol, two magazines, 14 rounds of live ammunition, and two hand grenades, The three respondents are also facing multiple murder and frustrated murder and attempted murder charges before the Manila RTC for the killing of Degamo. The 56-year-old governor was shot down inside his home in Pamploma town, Negros Oriental. According to the Department of Justice, which brought the charges to the Manila RTC, the validity of warrantless arrests was upheld in these cases. This is because the confiscated items were properly identified and handled, based on testimonies by the police and other witnesses. /apl Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.